Archive · 1 Jul 2025
Renewable Energy Expansion Lags, Warns IRENA Official
The world is trying to switch to clean energy like solar and wind, but it's not happening quickly enough to reach the goals.
To hit the target, we need to build a lot more renewable energy each year.
Right now, most of the money for these projects goes to a few rich countries, leaving others behind.
A top official says we need to plan for the future, work together, and make sure there are enough materials to build these new energy systems.
Also, until we can store energy cheaply, we will still need traditional power sources like coal and nuclear to keep the lights on.
Global renewable energy capacity is growing, but not fast enough to meet 2030 targets.
The world needs to deploy over 1,100 GW of renewable energy annually, but only 485 GW was added in 2023.
Investments in green energy are heavily concentrated in China, the EU, and the US, with developing countries underfunded.
IRENA official emphasizes the need for long-term planning and regional cooperation for resilient critical mineral supply chains.
Conventional power sources will continue to play a key role in ensuring grid stability until cost-effective energy storage is available.
- Who
- Gauri Singh, deputy director general of IRENA.
- What
- The progress and challenges of global renewable energy capacity expansion.
- When
- The current status is compared with the 2030 targets and data from 2023.
- Where
- Globally, with a focus on investment disparities.
- Why
- To assess progress towards global renewable energy targets and address challenges.
Optimistic View
Pessimistic View
Pace of Expansion
Optimistic View
Renewable energy capacity is expanding; a strong business case exists.
Pessimistic View
Capacity is not expanding rapidly enough to meet tripling targets.
- 2030 Target
- 11 terawatts of renewable energy capacity
- 2023 Deployment
- 485 GW of renewable power
- Annual Deployment Needed
- Over 1,100 GW
- Investment Concentration
- 84% in China, EU, and US
- India's Renewable FDI FY25
- $3.4 billion in the first three quarters