Global Renewables Hit Record 5,149 GW in 2025

Global renewable energy capacity reached a record 5,149 gigawatts by the end of 2025, driven by the addition of 692 gigawatts over the previous year, according to data from the International Renewable Energy Agency. This surge accounted for 85.6 percent of all new power capacity installed worldwide, marking a continued shift toward cleaner energy sources amid escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.

The growth, representing a 15.5 percent increase from 2024, was led by solar power, which added 511 gigawatts and now stands as the largest renewable source at 2,392 gigawatts total. Wind energy followed with 159 gigawatts of new installations, bringing its global capacity to 1,291 gigawatts. Together, solar and wind comprised 96.8 percent of renewable additions last year. Other technologies saw smaller gains: hydropower added 18.4 gigawatts, bioenergy 3.4 gigawatts, and geothermal just 0.3 gigawatts. Renewables now constitute 49.4 percent of the world's total installed electricity capacity, up from 46.3 percent in 2024, while variable sources like solar and wind make up about 35 percent.

This expansion occurred against the backdrop of a conflict in the Middle East, where...