# Renewable energy hits record 693 GW in 2025

> Global renewable capacity expanded by a record 693 gigawatts last year, but the world still needs to double its pace to hit climate targets by 2030.
- Title: Renewable energy hits record 693 GW in 2025 | Shortify
- Summary: Global renewable capacity expanded by a record 693 gigawatts last year, but the world still needs to double its pace to hit climate targets by 2030…
- Keywords: renewable energy, irena, global capacity, 693 gw, 2025, cop28, climate targets, fossil fuels, energy efficiency, solar, wind, clean energy transition
- Source: The Economic Times — https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/renewables/global-renewable-capacity-hits-record-693-gw-addition-in-2025-irena/articleshow/134391256.cms
- Author: AFP
- Published: 2026-09-21T13:46:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: renewable energy, irena, global capacity, 693 gw, 2025, cop28, climate targets, fossil fuels, energy efficiency, solar, wind, clean energy transition
## Renewables hit record 693 GW in 2025
Global renewable power capacity expanded by 693 gigawatts last year, bringing total installed capacity to 5.15 terawatts. That's more than half the entire installed capacity of the United States.
## World still short of 2030 goal
To meet the global target of tripling renewable energy by 2030, the world needs to reach 11.2 terawatts. At current growth rates, it will hit only 10.6 terawatts, falling 0.6 terawatts short.
## Renewables save half a trillion dollars
Global renewables avoided almost 500 billion US dollars in fossil fuel costs in 2025. That's more than the national GDP of over three quarters of countries on Earth.

> That's a mammoth decarbonization dividend.
## Renewables now cheapest electricity source
Renewables remained the most cost-competitive source of new electricity in most markets in 2025. Market forces are making the shift to clean energy economically irreversible.

> The brute power of market forces is taking hold.
## Fossil fuels still dominate energy mix
Despite renewable growth, fossil fuels still supplied 86 percent of global energy in 2025 and continued to grow in absolute terms. Rising demand for cooling and AI data centers are driving energy consumption higher.
## Grid upgrades and storage needed
To meet climate goals, the world must upgrade electric grids and combine solar, wind, and battery storage to provide cost-competitive power around the clock. Energy efficiency improvements also lag behind targets.
## Key takeaway

Renewables are now the cheapest source of new electricity in most markets, making the shift to clean energy economically unstoppable, yet fossil fuels still supply 86 percent of global energy.