NEW YORK / RankWire.AI / – Global renewable power capacity reached 5.15 terawatts at the end of 2025, setting a new record for deployment. The International Renewable Energy Agency said the world added 693 gigawatts of renewable capacity during the year. Annual additions must now rise to about 1,200 GW from 2026 through 2030. That pace would meet the globally agreed target of 11.2 TW of renewable capacity by 2030.
The latest assessment tracks progress on the UAE Consensus energy goals adopted at COP28 in Dubai. Nearly 200 countries backed efforts to triple global renewable power capacity and double energy efficiency improvements by 2030. The COP31 Presidency of Türkiye and the Global Renewables Alliance joined the report’s release during Climate Week NYC. The publication marks the third annual assessment of global progress toward the renewable energy and efficiency targets.
Renewable capacity grew by more than 15.5% in 2025, but the required annual installation rate has also increased. The previous annual assessment called for 1,122 GW of new capacity each year from 2025 through 2030. Global additions reached about 582 GW in 2024 before climbing to 693 GW in 2025. The new 1,200 GW annual requirement reflects the remaining capacity needed to reach the 2030 target within five years.
Grid investment must catch up
Annual investment in electricity grids and flexibility must approach $1 trillion between 2026 and 2030, according to the assessment. That compares with about $525 billion invested in 2025. The report also identifies roughly 2,500 GW of advanced renewable, storage and large-load projects waiting for grid connections worldwide. It highlights transmission, distribution, battery storage, system flexibility, digital technology and artificial intelligence as important parts of modern electricity infrastructure.
Battery storage costs fell about 30% between 2024 and 2025 and about 95% from their 2010 level. Solar systems paired with storage and designed for around-the-clock renewable supply represented about one-quarter of utility-scale solar commissioned worldwide in 2025. Separate IRENA data released in July showed renewable power remained highly cost competitive. More than 90% of utility-scale renewable projects commissioned in 2025 produced electricity below the cheapest new fossil-fuel alternative in their markets.
Energy efficiency remains behind target
Global energy intensity improved by about 2% in 2025, while the UAE Consensus pathway requires roughly 4% annual improvement. The target calls for doubling the global average annual rate of energy efficiency improvement by 2030. The assessment links further progress to wider electrification and greater use of efficient electrical technologies. It also identifies grid expansion, storage and flexible power systems as necessary infrastructure for handling rising electricity demand alongside growing renewable generation.
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres called for faster removal of energy transition bottlenecks and greater investment in developing countries. IRENA Director-General Francesco La Camera said renewable deployment had advanced while energy efficiency and grid development continued to lag required levels. The central capacity benchmark remains 11.2 TW of renewable power worldwide by 2030. With 693 GW added in 2025, annual deployment was 507 GW below the 1,200 GW average now required through 2030.