WASHINGTON (AP) — The global installation of renewable energy reached a remarkable milestone last year, with 92.5% of all new electricity generated coming from clean sources like solar and wind, according to a report from the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA). This significant increase in renewable energy production highlights a pivotal moment in the transition away from fossil fuels.
In 2024, nearly 64% of the new renewable electricity was produced in China. The world added 585 billion watts of new renewable electrical energy, signifying a 15.1% increase compared to 2023. Notably, solar, wind, and other non-nuclear green energy sources contributed to 46% of the total electricity generated globally.
Despite this impressive growth, IRENA points out that current rates of renewable energy installation are insufficient to meet the international objective of tripling renewable energy from 2023 to 2030. The report estimates that the world is on track to fall short by 28% of this target. This ambitious goal was established in 2023 as part of global efforts to combat climate change and reduce reliance on fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and natural gas.
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres commented on the surge in renewable energy, stating, “Renewable energy is powering down the fossil fuel age. Record-breaking growth is creating jobs, lowering energy bills, and cleaning our air. But the shift to clean energy must be faster and fairer.”
China was a key player in this renewable energy expansion, having added almost 374 billion watts of renewable power in 2024, with three-quarters of that coming from solar panels. This figure eclipses the contributions made by the United States, which added significantly less, and five times more than what Europe generated last year. Currently, China boasts nearly 887 billion watts of solar power, overshadowing other nations: the United States has 176 billion watts, Germany has approximately 90 billion, France 21 billion, and the United Kingdom 17 billion.
Simon Stiell, the United Nations climate chief, used these figures to encourage European leaders and other industrialized nations to enhance their commitments to renewable energy. He pointed out that as one government steps back from climate leadership, it opens the door for others to seize the considerable economic benefits of clean energy. Stiell remarked, “The clean energy transition can be Europe’s economic engine-room now — when new sources of growth are vital to buttress living standards for decades to come.”
Stiell emphasized that the IRENA data demonstrates that the “global renewables boom is unstoppable,” noting that the market for green energy reached an impressive $2 trillion last year. Neil Grant, a senior policy analyst at Climate Analytics, expressed optimism about the potential for even faster growth in renewable energy. He stated, “If in 2024 renewables grew 15%, think how much faster they could grow with the full backing of comprehensive, credible and ambitious climate policies around the world.”
This upward trend in renewable energy underscores a significant shift in the global energy landscape, with the potential for further advancement driven by supportive policies and international collaboration. The pressing climate goals highlight the urgency for nations to invest in clean energy solutions to ensure a sustainable and equitable energy future.
