NEW YORK / RankWire.AI / – By the end of 2025, the world’s renewable energy capacity reached 5.15 terawatts after a year of record growth. An additional 693 gigawatts of renewable power were added during that period. The International Renewable Energy Agency stated that annual installations now need to average about 1,200 GW through 2030. Achieving this rate is essential to reach the global goal of 11.2 TW of installed renewable capacity by the end of the decade.
This target is part of the UAE Consensus agreed upon at COP28 in Dubai. Nearly 200 nations backed efforts to triple the world’s renewable capacity and double the pace of energy efficiency improvements by 2030. The latest progress report measures advancement against these goals using 2025 data. It was prepared with the COP31 Presidency of Türkiye and the Global Renewables Alliance and released during Climate Week NYC.
Renewable capacity grew by over 15.5% in 2025, continuing the rapid expansion seen in recent years. In 2024, global additions were about 582 GW before jumping to 693 GW in the following year. Previously, it was estimated that 1,122 GW needed to be added annually from 2025 to 2030. The new requirement has increased to around 1,200 GW each year, as the remaining period to meet the target has shortened.
Grid investment needs to rise sharply
The assessment highlights that electric grids and system flexibility will require nearly $1 trillion annually from 2026 to 2030. In 2025, global spending on these areas was about $525 billion. There are also around 2,500 GW of advanced renewable, storage, and large-scale electricity projects waiting for grid connections worldwide. Transmission, distribution, battery storage, and digital systems are identified as essential infrastructure for supporting higher renewable energy levels.
Battery storage costs fell roughly 30% between 2024 and 2025, and about 95% compared to 2010 levels. Solar projects combined with storage now play a bigger role in new power developments. In 2025, about one-quarter of new utility-scale solar was designed to provide continuous renewable electricity. IRENA also reported that over 90% of new utility-scale renewable projects last year produced electricity below the cost of the cheapest new fossil-fuel alternative.
Energy efficiency progress remains sluggish
In 2025, global energy intensity improved by approximately 2%, falling short of the roughly 4% annual improvement needed under the UAE Consensus pathway. The goal is to double the current rate of global energy efficiency increase by 2030. The assessment highlights greater electrification and the use of efficient electrical technologies as key strategies. It also emphasizes that faster efficiency gains depend on stronger grids, more storage, and flexible electricity systems.
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres urged for quicker action to address bottlenecks in energy transition and to boost investments in developing economies. IRENA Director-General Francesco La Camera noted that while renewable deployment had advanced, grid development and energy efficiency remained below required levels. The global capacity target remains at 11.2 TW by 2030. With 693 GW added in 2025, last year’s growth was 507 GW short of the annual additions now needed through the end of the decade.