Global renewable power capacity additions clocked 473 gigawatts (GW) in 2023 reaching a record total of 3,870 GW, as renewables accounted for 86% of the new capacity with growth unevenly distributed across the world.

This is according to the International Renewable Energy Agency (Irena) which has released the Renewable Capacity Statistics 2024. The figures indicate a trend that is far from the tripling renewable power target by 2030, a WAM report said.

The 473 GW of renewables expansion was led once again by Asia with a 69% share (326 GW). This growth was driven by China, whose capacity increased by 63%, reaching 297.6 GW. This reflects a glaring gap with other regions, leaving a vast majority of developing countries behind, despite massive economic and development needs. Even though Africa has seen some growth, it paled in comparison with an increase of 4.6%, reaching a total capacity of 62 GW.

Progress not fast enough

Irena Director-General, Francesco La Camera, said: “This extraordinary surge in renewable generation capacity shows that renewables are the only technology available to rapidly scale up the energy transition aligned with the goals of the Paris Agreement. Nevertheless, the data also serves as a telltale sign that progress is not moving fast enough to add the required 7.2 TW of renewable power within the next seven years, in accordance with Irena’s World Energy Transitions Outlook 1.5°C Scenario.”

He added: “Policy interventions and a global course-correction are urgently needed to effectively overcome structural barriers and create local value in emerging market and developing economies, many of which are still left behind in this progress. The patterns of concentration in both geography and technology threaten to intensify the decarbonisation divide and pose a significant risk to achieving the tripling target.”

For China, solar and wind’s increasing competitiveness against coal and gas power generation became the key driver of renewable power development. Meanwhile in the EU, enhanced policy focus and heightened energy security concerns have become the main catalysts for the rapid growth, apart from the increasing cost-competitiveness of renewables against fossil fuel alternatives.

16.6pc rise in Middle East

Other regions that saw significant expansion were the Middle East at a 16.6% increase and Oceania at a 9.4% increase. The G7 countries as a group increased by 7.6%, adding 69.4 GW last year. The G20 nations on the other hand increased their capacity by 15.0%, reaching 3084 GW by 2023. However, for the world to reach over 11 TW for the tripling target requires the G20 members alone to reach 9.4 TW of renewable power capacity by 2030.

With solar energy continuing to dominate renewable generation capacity expansion, the report underscores that the growth disparity did not only affect geographical distribution but also the deployment of technologies. Solar accounted for 73% of the renewable growth last year, reaching 1 419 GW, followed by wind power with a 24% share of renewable expansion.

Irena’s 1.5°C Scenario recommends a massive scaling up of financing and strong international collaboration to speed up the energy transition, putting developing countries as key priority. Investments are needed in power grids, generation, flexibility and storage. The pathway towards tripled renewable power capacity by 2030 requires a strengthening of institutions, policies and skills.

Technology highlights

Solar energy: Solar photovoltaics increased by 345.5 GW last year, while concentrated solar power increased by 0.3 GW. China alone added 216.9 GW to the total expansion.

Renewable hydropower (excluding pumped hydro): Capacity reached 1 270 GW, with expansion lower than in recent years. Australia, China, Colombia and Nigeria added more than 0.5 GW each.

Wind energy: Wind grew at an increased rate of 13%, following behind solar energy. By the end of 2023, total wind capacity reached 1017 GW. Expansion was dominated by China and the US.

Bioenergy: Expansion continued to slow with a 3% increase, adding 4.4 GW compared to 6.4 GW in 2022. After China, major increases took place in Japan, Brazil and Uruguay.

Geothermal energy: Geothermal energy increased by a very modest 193 MW, led by Indonesia.

Off-grid electricity: Capacity – in regions outside Europe, North America and Eurasia - grew by 4.6%, reaching 12.7 GW, dominated by off-grid solar energy which reached 5 GW by 2023.

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