The Renewable Energy Statistics 2026 report released by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) revealed that renewable electricity generation grew by 9.8% in 2024, “significantly higher” than the growth rate recorded in 2023.

Non-renewables continued to fall behind with an increase of 1.4% over the same period. Overall, renewables accounted for 31.7% of the electricity generation globally in 2024, totaling 9 836 terawatt hours (TWh).

IRENA argues that the renewable generation data also confirms the dominance of solar and wind power. Asia led the world in renewable electricity generation in 2024, producing 4 589 TWh (14.3% increase) driven by all technologies, with growth being particularly strong across solar and wind.

Europe produced 1 758 TWh (up by 7.2%), driven by increases in solar and hydropower. North America generated 1 535 TWh (5.8% increase), and South America generated 1 047 TWh (2.9% increase), reflecting increases across all generation technologies.

Eurasia produced 411 TWh (up by 11.9%). Africa generated 227 TWh (5.7% increase) across all sources except for geothermal energy. Oceania generated 138 TWh (3.4% increase). The Middle East followed with 76 TWh, representing the highest regional growth rate of 17.3%. Lastly, Central America and the Caribbean generated 55 TWh (5.8% increase).

Annual renewable capacity additions have increased notably over the past 25 years, IRENA said, reaching a peak of 693 GW in 2025. The revised figures show that at the end of 2025, renewable capacity accounted for 5.2 TW, or 49.5% of the global total.

The share of renewables in total capacity expansion in 2025 was 85.7%, down from 92.7% in 2024. However, despite a decrease in the share of renewables in total capacity expansion, IRENA argues that the overall positive trend in installed capacity confirms that renewable deployment continues to outpace non-renewable growth.

Read the full report here.