Global renewable electricity generation rose 9.8 per cent in 2024, far outpacing the 1.4 per cent growth in non-renewable generation, according to the International Renewable Energy Agency’s (Irena) Renewable Energy Statistics 2026.

Renewables generated 9,836 terawatt hours (TWh) during the year, accounting for 31.7 per cent of global electricity production.

The report highlights the scale of the challenge ahead as countries seek to accelerate the energy transition.

 Under its Action Agenda for COP31, the incoming Turkish presidency has proposed a global target for electricity to meet 35 per cent of final energy demand by 2035.

Based on Irena’s analysis, achieving that goal would require renewables to supply 78 per cent of global electricity generation by 2035—around 2.5 times their current share.

Solar and wind continued to dominate renewable growth, with Asia leading global renewable electricity generation at 4,589 TWh, a 14.3 per cent increase driven largely by rapid expansion in both technologies.

Europe generated 1,758 TWh, up 7.2 per cent, supported by solar and hydropower, while North America produced 1,535 TWh, a 5.8 per cent increase.

South America generated 1,047 TWh, rising 2.9 per cent across all renewable technologies.

Other regions also posted gains. Eurasia recorded an 11.9 per cent increase to 411 TWh, Africa generated 227 TWh, up 5.7 per cent, and Oceania produced 138 TWh, a 3.4 per cent rise.

The Middle East registered the fastest regional growth at 17.3 per cent, reaching 76 TWh, while Central America and the Caribbean generated 55 TWh, up 5.8 per cent.

Irena also revised its 2025 renewable capacity figures, confirming that global renewable capacity reached 5.2 terawatts (TW) by the end of the year after record additions of 693 GW. Renewables accounted for 49.5 per cent of total installed power capacity and represented 85.7 per cent of all capacity additions in 2025.

Although this share was lower than the 92.7 per cent recorded in 2024, renewable deployment continued to significantly outpace non-renewable expansion.

Francesco La Camera, Irena Director-General, said: “The world is rallying behind electrification as a cornerstone of the energy transition, with renewable electricity as its driving force. Growing support for global electrification reflects a shared recognition that clean electricity strengthens energy security, resilience and competitiveness. This will require renewable electricity generation to expand at an unprecedented pace over the next decade —around 2.5 times today's level. Technologies are available, the economics are compelling. Now we must swiftly shift from fossil fuels to clean electricity across buildings, transport and industry.”

Simon Stiell, the Executive Secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) added: “Every nation at COP30 agreed unanimously that the global transition is now ‘irreversible’ and this new data is powerful new evidence. With renewable power generation clocking its fastest growth ever, the shift to clean energy is charging ahead, because it’s now cheaper, safer and faster-to-market, in stark contrast to this year’s ongoing fossil fuel cost chaos – driving inflation painfully higher for every economy, millions of businesses and billions of households. But despite this vast progress, the shift to clean energy is still far from fast or inclusive enough, and many vulnerable nations need significant support, making full and timely delivery of all climate finance pledges essential.” -OGN/TradeArabia News Service