Renewable Energy Nears 50% of Global Power Capacity in Historic Milestone

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A massive surge in solar and wind installations has pushed renewable energy to nearly 50% of the world's total electricity capacity, marking a critical turning point in the global energy transition.

A Landmark Achievement in Global Energy

A surge in solar and wind power has propelled renewable energy to nearly half of the world’s electricity capacity, a landmark achievement in the global transition to cleaner energy sources. As of 2025, renewables accounted for an unprecedented 49.4% of global electricity capacity, driven by a record-breaking year for new installations. This rapid growth underscores a significant shift in the world’s power infrastructure, though challenges remain in translating this capacity into equivalent electricity generation.

Record-Breaking Growth in 2025

The latest data from the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) reveals that a record 692 GW of renewable capacity was added in 2025, bringing the global total to an impressive 5,149 GW. This represents a substantial 15.5% increase from the previous year. In a clear signal of market preference, renewables constituted 85.6% of all new power capacity additions in 2025, demonstrating a decisive global pivot towards clean energy.

Solar Power’s Unstoppable Rise

The driving force behind this expansion has been the remarkable growth of solar power. The statistics paint a clear picture:

  • Solar Dominance: An astounding 511 GW of new solar capacity was added in 2025, accounting for nearly three-quarters of all new renewable installations. This brings the total global solar capacity to 2,392 GW.
  • Steady Wind Growth: Wind energy also saw significant growth, with 159 GW of new capacity added in 2025, bringing its total to 1,291 GW.
  • Fossil Fuel Slowdown: In stark contrast, fossil fuel capacity only grew by 116 GW in the same period.

Capacity vs. Actual Generation

While installed capacity is a powerful indicator, it’s important to distinguish it from the actual electricity produced. In the first half of 2025, renewables generated 34.3% of global electricity. For the first time, this surpassed coal’s contribution of 33.1%, marking another historic milestone in the clean energy journey.

Experts view this moment as a critical juncture. Francesco La Camera, Director-General of IRENA, highlighted the role of renewables in bolstering energy security amidst geopolitical instability. “A more decentralised energy system, with a growing share of renewables and more market players, is structurally more resilient,” he stated, noting that nations invested in the transition are better insulated from fuel price volatility.

Several key trends are shaping the future of the power sector:

  1. Solar as the Engine: With rapidly falling costs and faster deployment, solar energy is the primary driver of renewable growth.
  2. Rising Clean Energy Investment: Investment is soaring, with a record $386 billion invested in the first half of 2025 alone.
  3. Decentralized Power: A significant portion of new solar comes from small-scale distributed systems like rooftop solar, shifting power generation closer to consumers.
  4. Meeting New Demand: Renewables are increasingly powering our growing world. In the first three quarters of 2025, solar and wind met 100% of the growth in global electricity demand.

Conclusion: The Path to a Sustainable Future

The near-50% share of renewables in global electricity capacity is a testament to the accelerating pace of the clean energy transition. While the journey isn’t over—the current growth rate is slightly below the 16.6% needed to meet the COP28 goal of tripling capacity by 2030—this achievement is undeniable proof of progress. The unstoppable rise of solar and wind provides a powerful and optimistic outlook for a more sustainable and resilient energy future.

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