ABU DHABI, July 15, 2026 (PR) — Global renewable electricity generation recorded its fastest annual growth on record in 2024, rising 9.8% and significantly outpacing the 1.4% increase in non-renewable power generation, according to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA).
The agency’s Renewable Energy Statistics 2026 report said renewable sources generated 9,836 terawatt-hours (TWh) of electricity in 2024, accounting for 31.7% of total global electricity generation.
IRENA said the rapid expansion of renewable power underscores the growing momentum behind global electrification. However, it warned that achieving the COP31 Presidency of Türkiye’s proposed target of meeting 35% of final energy demand with electricity by 2035 would require renewables to supply nearly 78% of global electricity generation by then—around 2.5 times the current share.
IRENA Director-General Francesco La Camera said renewable electricity has become the driving force of the global energy transition, strengthening energy security, resilience and economic competitiveness. He stressed that renewable deployment must accelerate further across transport, industry and buildings to replace fossil fuels.
UNFCCC Executive Secretary Simon Stiell described the latest figures as fresh evidence that the global transition to clean energy is irreversible. He noted that while renewable power is expanding at record speed, greater climate finance remains essential to help vulnerable countries accelerate the transition.
Regionally, Asia led global renewable electricity generation with 4,589 TWh, up 14.3%, driven mainly by rapid growth in solar and wind power. Europe produced 1,758 TWh (up 7.2%), while North America generated 1,535 TWh, followed by South America with 1,047 TWh.
IRENA also revised its renewable capacity data, reporting that global renewable energy capacity reached 5.2 terawatts (TW) by the end of 2025 following a record 693 GW of new additions. Renewables accounted for 49.5% of total installed global power capacity, reinforcing their continued dominance in global power sector expansion.
