The world has already bet on clean energy and in 2023 the growth of capacity from renewable sources reached a record figure of 473 GW (+13.9%). It covered 86% of the total new capacity. China alone totaled over 297 GW, an overall increase of 63%.
Record renewables in 2023. More than half in China alone
The report Renewable Capacity Statistics 2024 published by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), shows that in 2023 the capacity total installed clean energy he reached 3,870 gigawatts (GW) globally. Although distributed in in an uneven manner with over 69% concentrated in Asia.
This data reflects a clear gap with other regions. Particularly with the vast majority of developing countries, despite their enormous energy needs.
Francesco La CameraDirector General of IRENA commented: «This extraordinary surge in renewable generation capacity demonstrates that renewable energy is the only technology available to accelerate the energy transition in line with the goals of the Paris Agreement.”. «However -he added-, the data is also an unmistakable sign that progress is still too slow.”
According to IRENA’s World Energy Transitions Outlook Scenario, in fact, 7.2 TW (7,200 GW) of renewable energy would need to be added by 2030 to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees.
Photovoltaic dominates with 73%
For Chinathe growing competitiveness of solar and wind energy respect to the production of energy from coal and gas has become the main driver of renewables development. In the EU it is instead the increased concern for the energy security.
L’Solar energy continues to dominate the expansion of generation capacity from renewable sources. Last year it accounted for 73% of renewables growth, reaching 1,419 GW. Wind energy follows with a share of 24%.
IRENA is the main intergovernmental agency for the energy transition. It includes 168 countries and the EU, with a further 15 countries joining. It provides knowledge, technical assistance and capacity building, project and investment facilitation.
