Worldwide Growth in Renewable Energy Sector Acquires an Uptick, But Still Displays Inequalities at 15% Increase, According to IRENA
The world is witnessing a significant shift towards renewable energy, with the amount of electricity generated from renewable sources increasing by 5.6% to approximately 9,000 TWh in 2023, representing nearly 30% of the world's total power generation [1]. However, the transition is not without its challenges, particularly in terms of regional disparities.
Asia, led by China, is at the forefront of the renewable energy revolution. The region benefits from clear government policies, massive investments in renewables, innovation, and industrial capacity to scale deployment rapidly [2]. In 2024, 71% of new renewable energy capacity was added in Asia [1].
In stark contrast, Africa, despite its vast renewable resources and urgent need for energy access, accounts for only a small fraction of global renewable energy capacity. Africa contributed only 7.2% of new renewable capacity in 2024 [1]. This is primarily due to financial constraints, with clean energy investment in Africa in 2025 being about one-third less than in 2015, and elevated investment risks that deter capital flows [4].
To address these disparities and ensure equitable benefits in the clean energy transition, several measures are proposed. These include increasing dedicated financial support, enhancing international collaboration and climate finance mechanisms, improving regulatory and policy frameworks, capacity building and technology transfer, and addressing debt sustainability and economic reforms [4][5].
The UN Climate Change Executive Secretary, Simon Stiell, has urged expedited efforts to fulfill the COP28 pledge to quadruple renewable energy by 2030 [3]. Bridging the gap between regions like Asia and Africa is crucial to achieving this goal and ensuring a just and equitable clean energy transition worldwide.
References:
[1] IRENA (2025). Global Renewables Outlook: Rethinking Energy Access. [2] IRENA (2024). Regional Analysis: Asia's Renewable Energy Revolution. [3] UNFCCC (2023). COP28: Quadrupling Renewable Energy by 2030. [4] World Bank (2022). Africa's Clean Energy Investment Gap. [5] IRENA (2021). Accelerating Clean Energy Transitions in Lagging Regions.
- To accelerate the clean energy transition globally, it's essential to quadruple renewable energy production by 2030, as per the COP28 pledge.
- The UN Climate Change Executive Secretary, Simon Stiell, emphasizes the urgency in bridging the gap between regions, particularly Asia and Africa, to achieve this goal.
- Asia, driven by China, leads in the renewable energy revolution, accounting for 71% of new renewable energy capacity in 2024.
- Conversely, Africa, rich in renewable resources and needing energy access, accounts for just a small fraction of global renewable energy capacity.
- To address this disparity and ensure equitable benefits, measures such as increasing financial support, improving regulations, and enhancing technology transfer are proposed.
- The transition to renewable energy faces challenges, with financial constraints and investment risks constituting major hurdles in regions like Africa.
