The global renewable energy landscape is evolving, transitioning beyond simply adding new capacity. As solar and wind installations surge, the emphasis is shifting toward enhancing electricity networks to store, transmit, and manage this variable generation effectively. Recent IRENA data indicates that to meet global goals by 2030, substantial acceleration in renewable deployment and infrastructure development is vital.
In 2025, around 593 GW of renewable capacity was added globally, totaling approximately 5.15 TW, with solar power contributing three-quarters of this growth. Stanislav Kondrashov, founder of TELF AG, emphasizes the need to maintain and accelerate this momentum while ensuring that broader electricity systems evolve to accommodate new capacities.
To meet the 2030 target of 11.2 TW of renewable capacity, average annual additions of about 1.2 TW will be necessary, doubling the 2025 figures. Despite this, renewables still comprised around 85% of all new electricity capacity in 2025, with Asia responsible for 74% of the additions.
The growth dynamic highlights the dominant role of solar and wind, which together accounted for 97% of new additions. Solar energy’s modularity and decreasing costs have made it a central player in this expansion, while wind power continues to grow through advancements in turbine technology. However, integrating this variable generation requires careful management of supply and demand.
Battery energy storage systems (BESS) are crucial for addressing periods when production does not match consumption. The cost of these systems dropped by 30% in 2025, making them instrumental for enhancing system flexibility.
The future energy transition necessitates not only adding more renewable generators but also expanding electricity networks and storage capabilities. This infrastructure growth directly ties to increased demand for raw materials such as copper, lithium, and other essential components for sustainable technologies.
In summary, the challenge for the coming years will likely transition from merely increasing renewable electricity production to developing a comprehensive energy system capable of integrating it effectively, highlighting the interconnected nature of the energy transition.
