Asia accounted for 71% of the world’s renewable energy capacity growth in 2024, underscoring its role as the epicentre of the clean energy transition; however, stark regional disparities remain, threatening the world’s ability to meet its 2030 targets, according to a recent report.

On one hand, global renewables capacity rose by 15%, with a record 582 gigawatts ( GW ) of energy capacity being added, while, on the other, the current pace is still too slow to reach the tripling target of 11.2 terawatts ( TW ) agreed at COP28, finds the International Renewable Energy Agency ( Irena )’s Renewable Energy Statistics 2025 report, which paints a mixed picture of the situation.

At the current trajectory, the world, Irena argues in the report, is on course to reach only 10.3TW by 2030, but Asia’s 71% makes it the clear leader, driven by China, which continues to dominate this expansion, driven by its aggressive solar deployments, policy support and innovation.

Europe and North America contributed 12.3% and 7.8% respectively, the report details, but Africa, despite its immense potential and urgent need for energy access, added just 7.2%. As well, Central America, the Caribbean and Eurasia collectively accounted for only 2.8% of global additions.

The clean energy transition, stresses Francesco La Camerais, Irena’s director-general, is rapidly transforming economies, but the benefits are not being enjoyed equally. “Countries attracting renewable investment are seeing stronger energy security, new jobs and industrial growth,” he notes. “But we must bridge the investment gap if the transition is to be truly global.”

In Asia, solar power remains the growth engine. As is the case globally, where of the 582GW of renewable capacity added in 2024, solar made up a commanding 453GW, confirming its position as the most economically competitive energy source. Wind energy added 114GW globally, and together wind and solar accounted for 97.5% of all new renewable capacity.

Tipping point

With renewables now representing 46.2% of total installed power capacity, nearly matching fossil fuels at 47.3%, the tipping point is in sight, but the global picture remains unequal.

“Tripling renewables by 2030 is within reach, but not at this pace or distribution. We must unlock investment, especially in developing and vulnerable regions,” adds Simon Stiell, UN climate change executive secretary, who has also called for urgent action to address systemic barriers.

While Asia’s leadership is a strength, the region now has the opportunity to use that heft and act as a bridge, leveraging its positive momentum to support global progress in renewable energy and alleviate the deepening divides.