The world achieved a historic milestone in renewable energy expansion during 2024, with global renewable capacity growing by a record-breaking 15.1% according to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA). An additional 585 gigawatts of renewable power capacity was added worldwide, with solar and wind energy accounting for 96.6% of all new renewable additions.
Solar energy led the charge with a remarkable 32.2% growth, reaching 1,865 GW of total capacity globally. Wind energy followed with 11.1% growth, demonstrating the continued acceleration of clean energy adoption. The massive expansion means renewables now account for more than 90% of all new power capacity additions, marking a decisive shift away from fossil fuels toward sustainable energy sources.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres celebrated the achievement, stating that “renewable energy is powering down the fossil fuel age. Record-breaking growth is creating jobs, lowering energy bills and cleaning our air.” The growth represents significant progress toward global climate goals and demonstrates that clean energy technologies are not only environmentally beneficial but also economically viable and increasingly dominant in the global energy landscape.