IRENA's "Renewable Energy Statistics 2025" report reveals that global renewable energy capacity achieved a record-breaking growth exceeding 15% in 2024, yet regional development imbalances intensified. Asia led the global expansion, accounting for 71% of new capacity additions, while Europe and North America contributed 12.3% and 7.8% respectively. In contrast, Africa, Eurasia, Central America, and the Caribbean collectively represented just 2.8%. Despite its vast resource potential, Africa recorded a mere 7.2% increase in renewable energy last year.

As the key agency monitoring the tripling renewable capacity target by 2030, IRENA warns that the current growth rate remains insufficient. Although the 582 GW of new capacity added in 2024 set an annual record, it leaves a 0.9 TW gap towards the 2030 target of 11.2 TW. Maintaining the present growth rate would only achieve 10.3 TW of global capacity. Annual growth rates must increase to 16.6% in the coming years to meet the goal. Solar and wind power continued to dominate the expansion, jointly representing 97.5% of net capacity additions in 2024. Solar power, with 453 GW of new capacity, demonstrated its economic advantages and investment appeal.

IRENA Director-General Francesco La Camera emphasized: "The renewables boom is reshaping the global energy landscape, but regional disparities are hindering inclusive development." UN Climate Change Executive Secretary Simon Stiell noted: "Achieving the COP28 tripling target requires accelerating the implementation of key enabling mechanisms." The report also highlights the energy transition trend: by the end of 2024, renewables constituted 46.2% of global generation capacity, nearly matching fossil fuels at 47.3%. In 2023, renewable power generation reached 8,928 TWh, accounting for nearly 30% of global electricity generation, with solar and wind emerging as the core drivers.
url:https://solarquarter.com/2025/08/06/irena-data-reveals-asia-led-global-renewable-energy-expansion-with-over-70-share-africa-trails-significantly-behind/