IRENA director-general, Francesco La Camera said, ‘In the midst of an uncertain time, renewable energy remains consistent and steadfast in its expansion. This not only indicates market preference but also makes a strong case for renewable energy…
IRENA director-general, Francesco La Camera said, ‘In the midst of an uncertain time, renewable energy remains consistent and steadfast in its expansion. This not only indicates market preference but also makes a strong case for renewable energy resilience with brutal clarity. A more decentralised energy system, with a growing share of renewables and more market players, is structurally more resilient.’
In line with the previous year, solar energy led the increase, accounting for 511 GW or approximately 75% share in the total renewables capacity addition. Wind energy followed suit, adding 159 GW. Together, solar and wind accounted for 96.8% of all net renewable additions last year, reflecting the biggest cost decrease among all renewable technologies. Bioenergy took the third place with 2.3% annual growth, adding 3.4 GW to total renewable energy expansion.
The report also confirms, however, the persistent and significant disparities among countries and regions. Asia continued to lead with a 74.2% contribution to all new renewable capacity; the 513.3 GW additions represent a growth rate of 21.6%. Africa recorded its highest capacity increase, rising by 15.9% or adding 11.3GW, driven by Ethiopia, South Africa, and Egypt. Another region that experienced its largest annual growth is the Middle East, which increased by 28.9%, led by Saudi Arabia.
In terms of total global capacity, Asia keeps its top position with 2891GW of total renewables capacity, followed by Europe which recorded 934GW in total. Central America and the Caribbean had the lowest renewables capacity with a total of 21GW in 2025.
Solar photovoltaics accounted for 510.3 GW out of 511.2 GW of total solar power additions in 2025.
Some 18.4 GW of renewable hydropower (excluding pumped hydro) was added in 2025, with 96% of the increase coming from China. Ethiopia, India, Tanzania, Bhutan, Viet Nam, Canada, Austria, Indonesia and Nepal, respectively added more than 0.5GW.
Wind energy capacity grew by 14% from 2024, with record additions of 158.7GW in 2025. China accounted for nearly three-quarters of the expansion, adding 119.4GW, while India added 6.3GW.
Bioenergy capacity increased by 3.4GW, led by Japan, which more than doubled its bioenergy capacity expansion from 2024, adding 1.1GW in 2025. China followed with capacity additions of 0.8GW and Brazil with 0.6GW additions.
Geothermal energy capacity grew at a similar rate to the previous year at 1.7%, adding 0.3GW in 2025. The Philippines and Indonesia each contributed 0.1GW of the additions, followed by Germany, Türkiye and Japan.
