Record Renewable Energy Growth Falls Short of Climate Goals

Global Renewable Energy Rows at Record Pace in 2024 and 2025

The world witnessed unprecedented growth in renewable energy over the last two years, with 2024 setting a global record for new installations. A staggering 582 gigawatts (GW) of new renewable capacity was added worldwide in 2024—a 15.1% increase from the previous year—propelled by a surge in solar photovoltaics and expanding offshore wind farms. Investment followed suit, with clean energy set to attract $2.2 trillion in 2025—twice as much as fossil fuels.

However, global targets agreed at COP28 in Dubai push far beyond these already historic numbers. The climate goal: to triple worldwide renewable capacity to 11.2 terawatts (TW) by 2030. To achieve this, the annual growth rate must rise to 16.6%, requiring roughly 1,122 GW to be installed every year through 2030. This mounting gap between advancement and ambition underscores the formidable scale of the energy transition.

Why "Record Growth" is Not Enough to Meet Climate Goals

Despite historic growth, renewable expansion is still not matching the pace needed to limit global warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels—a central target in the Paris Agreement. The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) warns that the current trajectory will leave the world more than a terawatt shy of the 2030 target, sharply reducing chances of meeting key climate commitments. This reality is echoed in revised forecasts: The International Energy Agency (IEA) now expects total renewable capacity will reach only 4,600 GW by 2030—900 GW short of last year's projection and well below global targets.

Energy experts cite several reasons for the shortfall:

• Policy headwinds and reduced incentives, particularly in the United States and China, are slowing momentum in the world's largest markets.
• Grid infrastructure and interconnection lag far behind generation investments, causing bottlenecks and limits on new renewable capacity.
• Global energy efficiency is improving by just 1% a year—much lower than the 4% rate needed for climate targets.
• Unequal investment in developing economies, where rapid growth is both most needed and most challenging.

The UK's Record Renewable Growth a Microcosm of Global Trends

The UK broke its own renewable records in 2025, with the second quarter seeing renewables supply 54.5% of electricity generation. Wind power alone contributed nearly a third of the nation's electricity, and solar capacity grew by almost 8% compared to 2024. A total of 35.1 terawatt hours (TWh) of renewable electricity was generated in Q2 2025—showing the power of supportive policy, investment, and innovation.

Such achievements have helped push the UK's annual renewable generation up by 6.53% from 2023, to over 144 TWh in 2025. Yet, as in the rest of the world, these numbers, while impressive, remain insufficient to meet national net zero ambitions and international Paris-aligned goals.

Where is Renewable Growth Falling Short?

Although solar and wind are breaking annual records, they are not scaling fast enough in many regions. Investment gaps, transmission grid delays, and shifting policy priorities—particularly in the United States after recent federal tax incentive changes and China's move to competitive auctions for new projects—have depressed the outlook for both markets, which together represent the bulk of global growth.

On a positive note, regions like India and parts of Europe (Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain) are exceeding forecasts, demonstrating the impact of strong policy and stable finance frameworks. In the Middle East and North Africa, renewable capacity expectations have been revised up by 25%, offering hope for future progress.

What Needs to Happen Next?

Experts and agencies, including the UN and IEA, are calling for urgent, transformative changes:

• Immediate ramp-up of investment, especially in new regions and grid upgrades.
• Clear policy signals and sustained financial incentives, particularly in leading markets.
• Greater emphasis on energy efficiency, grid interconnection, and battery storage to balance variable renewables.
• Global cooperation to ensure equitable access to green finance and technology, especially for developing economies.

Without these, the annual renewable installation rate will remain below the required 16.6% and the window to keep global heating below 1.5°C will continue to close.

The Role of the UK and Atlantic Renewables

As record-breaking as the UK's renewables sector is, there's still considerable room for growth, innovation, and integration. Businesses and homeowners can accelerate the transition by investing in solar panels, battery storage, and smart energy upgrades. Atlantic Renewables' team of engineers is ready to design and install tailored photovoltaic and storage systems that help clients make a practical difference on the path to net zero.

Unlock local energy savings and reduce your carbon footprint with professional solar and storage solutions from Atlantic Renewables, and explore battery storage options to optimise your future energy supply.

Get in Touch

Want to future-proof your property and join the UK's clean energy transition? Speak with Atlantic Renewables' expert engineers about installing solar PV or battery storage. Call 0161 207 4044 or visit our contact page to start your journey towards net zero and reduced energy bills.