popular articles

China alone accounts for 64% of global renewable capacity added in 2024

IRENA’s annual report shows record renewable energy growth in 2024, concentrated in Asia and led by solar, but still falling short of 2030 targets.

Please share:

Global renewable energy production capacity reached 4,448 gigawatts (GW) at the end of 2024, marking an annual increase of 585 GW, according to data published by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA). This growth accounted for 92.5% of all newly installed electrical capacity worldwide and represents an unprecedented annual growth rate of 15.1%.

Geographical concentration of expansion

Asia absorbed the majority of investments, with China leading. It contributed 64% of the added capacity in 2024, reinforcing its position in the solar and wind segments. In contrast, regions such as Central America and the Caribbean accounted for only 3.2% of global additions. G20 countries represented more than 90% of new capacity, underscoring persistent disparities in the deployment of energy infrastructure.

Dominance of solar energy

Solar energy represented more than three-quarters of new installations, with an annual increase of 451.9 GW. China alone contributed 278 GW. India was also among the top contributors with an additional 24.5 GW. Wind energy grew by 11.1%, reaching a total capacity of 1,133 GW, driven largely by China and the United States.

Limited source diversification

Hydropower energy, excluding pumped storage systems, rebounded to 1,283 GW, supported by new projects in Ethiopia, Pakistan, Nepal and Vietnam. Biomass energy rose by 4.6 GW, compared to 3.0 GW in 2023, with significant contributions from France and China. Geothermal energy grew by 0.4 GW, with capacity expansions in New Zealand and Türkiye.

Gap with international targets

Despite this growth, a significant gap remains to reach the 11.2 terawatts required by 2030 under global commitments. Annual growth now needs to exceed 16.6% to align national trajectories with targets set at climate summits. IRENA has called for a revision of the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC 3.0) to include more structured capacity goals.

IRENA Director-General Francesco La Camera stressed the need to integrate these ambitions into national energy policies, highlighting the risks linked to geographical concentration and structural imbalances across markets. The Agency has continued working with member states to adapt national energy roadmaps within the NDC framework.

Register free of charge for uninterrupted access.

Publicite

Recently published in

Raven SR takes a crucial step towards renewable hydrogen production by obtaining a permit for its bioenergy project in Richmond, California. This approval marks a significant step forward in the conversion of organic waste into clean fuels and contributes to the reduction of CO2 emissions.
Nigerian president inaugurates Dangote's mega-refinery, offering the prospect of solving shortages and creating revenue. However, analysts doubt the actual start-up date of the refinery, which could be delayed until the end of 2024.
Nigerian president inaugurates Dangote's mega-refinery, offering the prospect of solving shortages and creating revenue. However, analysts doubt the actual start-up date of the refinery, which could be delayed until the end of 2024.
Denmark takes a major step forward in the management of captured CO2 with the construction of its first large-scale facility in Aalborg. The Port of Aalborg and Fidelis New Energy unveil ambitious plans to process up to four million tons of CO2 per year, contributing to the country's emission reduction.
Denmark takes a major step forward in the management of captured CO2 with the construction of its first large-scale facility in Aalborg. The Port of Aalborg and Fidelis New Energy unveil ambitious plans to process up to four million tons of CO2 per year, contributing to the country's emission reduction.
Floating wind resources are poised to become a crucial part of the U.S. energy transition. A look back at the industry's rapid growth prospects, the U.S. Department of Energy's ambitious goals, and development opportunities in California, Oregon and the Gulf of Maine.
Floating wind resources are poised to become a crucial part of the U.S. energy transition. A look back at the industry's rapid growth prospects, the U.S. Department of Energy's ambitious goals, and development opportunities in California, Oregon and the Gulf of Maine.
The right-wing majority Senate has largely approved the nuclear revival bill to speed up the construction of new reactors, despite the opposition of the ecologist group, before the final adoption expected on May 16 in the National Assembly.
TotalEnergies, the French oil major, is preparing for a climate debate with some of its shareholders at its general meeting on May 26. An advisory resolution on the group's indirect CO2 emissions, proposed by the activist shareholder organization Follow This, was included in the agenda of the AGM.
TotalEnergies, the French oil major, is preparing for a climate debate with some of its shareholders at its general meeting on May 26. An advisory resolution on the group's indirect CO2 emissions, proposed by the activist shareholder organization Follow This, was included in the agenda of the AGM.
In the first quarter of the year, EDF recorded a 34.6% increase in revenues compared to the same period last year, despite a drop in its nuclear production. High energy market prices and the acquisition of new residential customers in France contributed to this growth.
In the first quarter of the year, EDF recorded a 34.6% increase in revenues compared to the same period last year, despite a drop in its nuclear production. High energy market prices and the acquisition of new residential customers in France contributed to this growth.
Ohmium International is partnering with Efficiency for LNG Applications (E4Efficiency) to supply green hydrogen to a liquefied natural gas terminal in Andalusia, replacing the methane used in the gas burner pilot flame. This innovative project is supported by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).
Ohmium International is partnering with Efficiency for LNG Applications (E4Efficiency) to supply green hydrogen to a liquefied natural gas terminal in Andalusia, replacing the methane used in the gas burner pilot flame. This innovative project is supported by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).
The controversial nuclear safety reform is not expected to be included in the final discussions on the nuclear acceleration bill, sources told AFP. Members of Parliament rejected the government's amendment in March and future debates should respect their vote.
Engie offers its regulated tariff subscribers a bridging offer called "Passerelle" indexed on a reference indicator calculated by the Commission de régulation de l'énergie, which should experience marginal increases, but which allows the user to retain absolute freedom.
Engie offers its regulated tariff subscribers a bridging offer called "Passerelle" indexed on a reference indicator calculated by the Commission de régulation de l'énergie, which should experience marginal increases, but which allows the user to retain absolute freedom.
Russia and China continue their energy cooperation with the Siberian Force 2 pipeline project. This ambitious initiative aims to deliver 98 billion cubic meters of gas to China by 2030, strengthening ties between the two countries.
Russia and China continue their energy cooperation with the Siberian Force 2 pipeline project. This ambitious initiative aims to deliver 98 billion cubic meters of gas to China by 2030, strengthening ties between the two countries.
Oil prices started the week lower, despite the announcement of Russian oil production cuts. Concerns about near-term demand have returned to the forefront as the uncertain economic outlook in many major oil-consuming economies, such as the U.S., Europe and even China, persists.
Oil prices started the week lower, despite the announcement of Russian oil production cuts. Concerns about near-term demand have returned to the forefront as the uncertain economic outlook in many major oil-consuming economies, such as the U.S., Europe and even China, persists.
The Druzhba pipeline is resuming pumping in the Ukrainian section after a partial suspension, according to the Russian operator Transneft.
Boralex, a Canadian company, appoints Patrick Simon as Assistant General Manager of Boralex Development, Europe.
Boralex, a Canadian company, appoints Patrick Simon as Assistant General Manager of Boralex Development, Europe.
AEP commissions the 287 MW Maverick wind farm, the 2nd wind farm of the 1485 MW North Central Wind Energy project in Oklahoma.|AEP commissions the 287 MW Maverick wind farm, the 2nd wind farm of the 1485 MW North Central Wind Energy project in Oklahoma.
AEP commissions the 287 MW Maverick wind farm, the 2nd wind farm of the 1485 MW North Central Wind Energy project in Oklahoma.|AEP commissions the 287 MW Maverick wind farm, the 2nd wind farm of the 1485 MW North Central Wind Energy project in Oklahoma.
Axpo announces the signing of a long-term power purchase agreement with CEZ's Fântânele-Cogealac-Gradina wind farm.|Axpo announces the signing of a long-term power purchase agreement with CEZ's Fântânele-Cogealac-Gradina wind farm.
Acteon supports Siemens Gamesa with cable trenching for the Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind project near the Virginia coast.|Acteon supports Siemens Gamesa with cable trenching for the Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind project near the Virginia coast.
Acteon supports Siemens Gamesa with cable trenching for the Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind project near the Virginia coast.|Acteon supports Siemens Gamesa with cable trenching for the Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind project near the Virginia coast.
Amanda Levete presents the design of the UK's 1st inertial fusion power plant at the UK Atomic energy authority campus in Culham.|Amanda Levete presents the design of the UK's 1st inertial fusion power plant at the UK Atomic energy authority campus in Culham.
Amanda Levete presents the design of the UK's 1st inertial fusion power plant at the UK Atomic energy authority campus in Culham.|Amanda Levete presents the design of the UK's 1st inertial fusion power plant at the UK Atomic energy authority campus in Culham.
Avangrid develops the first large-scale offshore wind project built by unionized workers in the United States.|Avangrid develops the first large-scale offshore wind project built by unionized workers in the United States.
Avangrid develops the first large-scale offshore wind project built by unionized workers in the United States.|Avangrid develops the first large-scale offshore wind project built by unionized workers in the United States.
Avangrid launches its new Park City Wind offshore wind project in Connecticut and plans to create 2800 jobs.|Avangrid launches its new Park City Wind offshore wind project in Connecticut and plans to create 2800 jobs.
Atlantic Shores, a new joint venture between EDF Renewables and Shell New Energies, will boost new energies in New Jersey.|Atlantic Shores, a new joint venture between EDF Renewables and Shell New Energies, will boost new energies in New Jersey.
Atlantic Shores, a new joint venture between EDF Renewables and Shell New Energies, will boost new energies in New Jersey.|Atlantic Shores, a new joint venture between EDF Renewables and Shell New Energies, will boost new energies in New Jersey.
A call for tenders is launched in Albania to encourage the development of large-scale onshore wind power plants.|A call for tenders is launched in Albania to encourage the development of large-scale onshore wind power plants.
A call for tenders is launched in Albania to encourage the development of large-scale onshore wind power plants.|A call for tenders is launched in Albania to encourage the development of large-scale onshore wind power plants.
Central Asia's largest wind farm, the Zhanatas project in Kazakhstan, completed with a capacity of 100 MW, is the result of Sino-Kazakh cooperation and addresses the north-south energy imbalance while supporting the country's transition to renewable energies.
Central Asia's largest wind farm, the Zhanatas project in Kazakhstan, completed with a capacity of 100 MW, is the result of Sino-Kazakh cooperation and addresses the north-south energy imbalance while supporting the country's transition to renewable energies.

Advertising