NEW YORK / RankWire.AI / – Global renewable power capacity climbed to 5.15 terawatts at the end of 2025 after another record year of expansion. The world added 693 gigawatts of renewable capacity during the year. The International Renewable Energy Agency said annual additions must now average about 1,200 GW through 2030. That rate is required to reach the global target of 11.2 TW of installed renewable power by the end of the decade.
The target forms part of the UAE Consensus agreed at COP28 in Dubai. Nearly 200 countries supported efforts to triple global renewable capacity and double the annual rate of energy efficiency improvements by 2030. The latest assessment measures progress against both 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 expanded by more than 15.5% in 2025, extending the rapid growth recorded in recent years. Global additions had reached about 582 GW in 2024 before rising to 693 GW last year. The previous annual assessment estimated that 1,122 GW would need to be added each year from 2025 to 2030. The updated requirement has increased to about 1,200 GW annually as the remaining period to meet the target has shortened.
Grid spending needs sharp increase
Electricity networks and system flexibility will require annual investment approaching $1 trillion from 2026 through 2030, according to the assessment. Global spending in those areas totaled about $525 billion in 2025. Around 2,500 GW of advanced renewable, storage and large electricity projects are also awaiting grid connections worldwide. The report identifies transmission, distribution, battery storage and digital systems as key infrastructure needed to support higher levels of renewable electricity.
Battery storage costs dropped about 30% between 2024 and 2025 and about 95% compared with 2010 levels. Solar projects paired with storage also gained a larger role in new power development. Systems designed to provide round-the-clock renewable electricity represented about one-quarter of utility-scale solar commissioned worldwide in 2025. IRENA also reported that more than 90% of new utility-scale renewable projects commissioned last year produced electricity below the cost of the cheapest new fossil-fuel alternative.
Energy efficiency progress remains slower
Global energy intensity improved by about 2% in 2025, compared with roughly 4% required each year under the UAE Consensus pathway. The goal calls for doubling the average annual rate of global energy efficiency improvement by 2030. The assessment points to greater electrification and wider use of efficient electrical technologies as major parts of that target. It also links faster efficiency gains with stronger grids, additional storage and more flexible electricity systems.
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres called for faster action on energy transition bottlenecks and stronger investment flows to developing economies. IRENA Director-General Francesco La Camera said renewable deployment had advanced while grid development and energy efficiency remained below required levels. The global capacity benchmark remains 11.2 TW by 2030. With 693 GW added in 2025, last year’s expansion remained 507 GW below the average annual addition now required through the end of the decade.