Global renewable power capacity reached 5,149 gigawatts (GW) by end-2025, following a record 692 GW addition that marked a 15.5% annual increase, with renewables capturing 85.6% of all new capacity expansions.
This surge underscores renewables’ economic edge, yet persistent regional disparities reveal vulnerabilities in energy security, particularly as Middle East escalations disrupt fossil fuel supplies through chokepoints like the Strait of Hormuz, blocking nearly 20% of global petroleum and LNG flows.
Solar photovoltaic led with 510.3 GW added out of 511.2 GW total solar growth, comprising 75% of renewable expansions, while wind contributed 158.7 GW, a 14% rise from 2024. Together, these technologies accounted for 96.8% of net renewable gains, driven by sustained cost declines that positioned them below coal and gas alternatives for over 90% of 2025 installations. Bioenergy added 3.4 GW (2.3% growth), geothermal 0.3 GW (1.7%), and renewable hydropower 18.4 GW, though the latter’s expansion relied heavily on China (96% share).
Such concentration raises grid integration challenges, as variable solar and wind now demand enhanced flexibility to shift renewables from 49% of total capacity toward dominant generation shares.
Asia’s Overwhelming Lead
Asia drove 74.2% of 2025 additions with 513.3 GW (21.6% growth), holding 2,891 GW total capacity, propelled by China’s 119.4 GW wind and massive solar deployments reaching 1,202 GW nationally. Europe followed at 934 GW total, but its slower pace highlights permitting delays and supply chain constraints amid global competition for modules and turbines.
This dominance amplifies Asia’s manufacturing leverage but exposes laggards to import risks, especially as U.S. and EU tariffs reshape trade flows.
Africa’s Incremental Gains, Persistent Gaps
Africa achieved its highest addition at 11.3 GW (15.9% growth) to reach 82 GW total, led by Ethiopia (hydropower surge to 10,082 MW), South Africa, and Egypt (solar to 3,267 MW). Off-grid solar expanded by 1.5 GW outside major economies, addressing access deficits where renewables remain under 2% of global additions despite tripling pledges like COP28’s 11 TW target.
Low penetration—Central America/Caribbean at just 21 GW—intensifies exposure to import shocks, as fossil-dependent grids face volatility from Middle East conflicts.
Middle East Acceleration Signals Shift
The Middle East posted 28.9% growth to 15,176 MW total, spearheaded by Saudi Arabia’s solar and wind push, amid regional tensions that have elevated renewables’ strategic role. Countries prioritizing transitions, per IRENA’s La Camera, incur less economic fallout from supply disruptions, fostering decentralized systems with broader market participation.
Yet non-renewables’ declining addition share, 14.4% globally, masks overcapacity risks if fossil investments persist without phase-out policies.
China dominated wind (119.4 GW, 75% global) and hydropower (17.7 GW renewable), while Japan doubled bioenergy to 1.1 GW and the Philippines/Indonesia added geothermal (0.1 GW each). Off-grid capacity grew 1.7 GW, 90% solar, underscoring decentralized solutions for remote areas but highlighting financing gaps in least-developed regions.
