• Renewables reach 49% of global electricity capacity in 2026
• Record growth led by solar and wind additions
• Expansion concentrated in major economies, with Africa lagging

Renewable energy sources now account for 49% of global electricity capacity, according to the Renewable Capacity Statistics 2026 report published Wednesday by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA).

This represents a total capacity of 5,149 gigawatts (GW), up from 4,457 GW a year earlier. New installations marked the fastest annual growth on record, accounting for 85.6% of capacity added during the year.

Solar alone contributed 510 GW of new capacity, nearly three-quarters of annual additions, while wind added 159 GW. The expansion reflects the growing competitiveness and resilience of renewable technologies, though it remains concentrated in a few regions: China, the United States and the European Union together accounted for 550 GW of new capacity.

In Africa, additions reached 11.3 GW in 2025, or 1.6% of global new capacity, bringing the continent’s total to 82 GW, a 15.9% year-on-year increase.

IRENA said renewable energy development requires electricity grids to be adapted. In its Renewables 2025 report published in October, the International Energy Agency (IEA) also noted that the rapid growth of solar and wind power “requires significant adaptation of electricity grids,” particularly through stronger interconnections, expanded storage capacity and greater demand flexibility.

The IEA also cut its renewable energy growth forecasts for 2025–2030 by around 5%, citing grid constraints and less favourable regulatory frameworks in several countries.

Abdel-Latif Boureima