The Renewable Energy Statistics 2025 from IRENA show that despite renewables capacity growing by over 15 per cent in 2024.

However, over 70 per cent of renewable energy capacity growth occurred in Asia, while other regions particularly Africa lagged behind, with regional growth gaps widening.

Asia has kept its leading position since the past few years, accounting for 71 per cent of new renewables capacity in 2024, followed by Europe and North America (respectively contributed 12.3 per cent and 7.8 per cent to the addition).

Africa, Eurasia, Central America and the Caribbean together only accounted for only 2.8 per cent of total renewables capacity addition.

Commenting on the data update, IRENA director-general Francesco La Camera said: “The renewable energy boom is transforming global energy markets, driving economies and creating vast investment opportunities. However, the growing regional divide highlights that not everyone is benefiting equally from this transition. Countries and regions that attract substantial investment in renewables are seeing enhanced energy security, increased industrial activity, and new jobs, fuelling broader socioeconomic development.”

The renewables capacity trend also reveals the dominance of solar and wind power. Both have jointly accounted for 97.5 per cent of all net renewables additions in 2024, with solar increasing by 453GW. Wind energy follows with 114GW of total renewables capacity addition.

Although the 582GW of renewable capacity added in 2024 represented a record annual increase, it still falls short of the pace required to reach the global tripling target of 11.2 TW by 2030.

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