Record 692GW of renewable capacity added in 2025
A new report from the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) identifies 2025 as a landmark year for renewable energy, with capacity additions growing by 15.5% year on year. The researchers state that total renewable power capacity reached 5,149 gigawatts (GW) after a record 692 GW were added in just 12 months.
Growth was largely driven by solar, with the technology contributing 511GW (almost 75% of the total renewable capacity added in 2025), reinforcing its position as the world’s leading renewable source. Wind energy saw the second largest additions at 159 GW, up 14% year on year, with China accounting for nearly three-quarters of this expansion.
Together, solar and wind accounted for 96.8% of all net renewable additions last year, reflecting the biggest cost decrease among all renewable technologies. However, regional disparities persist- Asia continues to lead with a 74.2% contribution to all new renewable capacity; the 513.3 GW additions represent a growth rate of 21.6%.
In terms of total global capacity, Asia unsurprisingly keeps its top position with 2,891 GW of total renewables capacity, followed by Europe which recorded 934 GW. Central America and the Caribbean had the lowest renewables capacity with a total of 21 GW in 2025. This disparity exposes the vulnerability of economies with a low share of renewables, underscoring an urgent need to increase their share to improve energy security.
IRENA Director-General, Francesco La Camera said, “In the midst of 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. Countries that invested in the energy transition are weathering this crisis with less economic damage, as they boost energy security, resilience and competitiveness.”[i]
Conflict in the Middle East drives interest in renewables
As IRENA notes, geopolitical tensions are once again thrusting energy security into the global spotlight. Escalation in the Middle East has raised fresh concerns over supply security and fossil fuel price volatility. Against this backdrop, renewable energy is gaining attention as a means to build more resilient systems that are less vulnerable to international shocks. As renewables are homegrown, low-cost and can be deployed immediately, increasing their share in national energy systems can reduce exposure to international fuel markets.
This is already being reflected in the actions of consumers, with Octopus energy reporting that British homeowners are racing to future-proof their properties against global energy shocks. Data from the company shows a 27% surge in solar installation enquiries since the start of the conflict in the Middle East. They suggest that the recent geopolitical turmoil has caused a dash for solar as households seek to shield their bills from the volatile global gas market, where prices have soared by more than 60% since February. Similarly, the company’s Octopus EV subsidiary has seen EV leasing enquiries jump 36% since the start of the conflict.
References
[i] Near-700 GW Surge in 2025 Proves Renewable Energy Resilience
