World Adds 692 GW Renewables in 2025, Solar Leads Surge
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- IRENA reported that 692 GW of renewable power was added in 2025, raising global capacity to 5,149 GW—a 15.5 % increase and 85.6 % of all new power capacity.
- Solar PV accounted for 511 GW of the additions, roughly three‑quarters of the total, making it the dominant technology.
- Wind contributed 159 GW, a 14 % year‑over‑year rise, with China adding 119.4 GW and India 6.3 GW.
- Asia supplied 74.2 % of new renewable capacity (513.3 GW) and grew 21.6 % YoY, cementing its lead in the global renewables boom.
- Africa posted its fastest growth, adding 11.3 GW (15.9 % increase), led by Ethiopia, South Africa and Egypt.
- Middle East saw a 28.9 % surge in renewable capacity, driven largely by Saudi Arabia.
- Francesco La Camera said countries that invested in the energy transition are weathering the current crisis with less economic damage.
Why it matters: The surge in renewables gives investing nations—especially those in Asia, Africa and the Middle East—a shield against volatile fossil‑fuel markets and geopolitical shocks, while regions with scant renewable capacity, like Central America and the Caribbean, stay exposed to price spikes and supply risks.
