Solar drives the surge
The International Energy Agency released its annual Renewables 2026 report on Wednesday, projecting that global renewable capacity will reach 10,500 GW by the end of the decade. That is up from 3,600 GW in 2023 and represents the fastest growth in energy history.
Solar photovoltaics account for 70% of expected additions, driven by falling panel prices and massive deployment programs in China, India, and the United States. China alone is expected to add 1,200 GW of solar by 2030 — more than the entire world added between 2010 and 2020.
Wind faces headwinds
Onshore wind is growing at 12% per year, but offshore wind has slowed. Permitting delays, rising turbine costs, and supply chain bottlenecks have pushed several large European offshore projects back by two to three years. The IEA now expects only 150 GW of offshore wind by 2030, down from an earlier forecast of 220 GW.
Policy reforms in Europe and the US could unlock stalled projects. The Biden administration recently approved four large offshore wind farms in the Atlantic, totaling 8 GW of capacity.
Still not enough for 1.5°C
Despite the record growth, the IEA warns that the world must add another 4,000 GW by 2035 to stay on track for the Paris Agreement's 1.5°C warming limit. Current policies and investment trends suggest a 2.4°C warming path.
IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol said the growth is "encouraging but not sufficient." He called on governments to streamline permitting, expand grid infrastructure, and invest in battery storage to absorb variable wind and solar output. Global energy-related CO2 emissions rose 0.8% in 2025 despite renewable gains.