The global renewable energy sector achieved a historic milestone in 2025, with wind and solar installations reaching a record 814 GW, according to Ember. This represents a 17 percent increase compared to 696 GW added in 2024, highlighting the accelerating pace of clean energy adoption worldwide. The M&A deal activity in the renewable ecosystem is also expected to rise as companies scale to meet this rapid expansion.
Total installed wind and solar capacity surpassed 4,174 GW, crossing the 4 TW mark for the first time. Solar energy dominated growth, with 647 GW added in 2025, an 11 percent increase from 582 GW in 2024. Nearly 4 GW of solar capacity was installed for every 1 GW of wind, pushing cumulative solar capacity close to 2,900 GW globally.
Wind energy also saw strong momentum, with installations rising 47 percent to 167 GW in 2025, taking total global wind capacity to around 1,300 GW. Together, these technologies are transforming the global power mix at an unprecedented pace.
The newly added capacity in 2025 alone can generate about 1,046 TWh of electricity annually. This output is sufficient to replace more than one-seventh of global gas-fired generation or nearly 1.8 times Qatar’s annual LNG exports. At current prices, this translates into potential savings of approximately $138 billion in gas import costs.
Amid geopolitical tensions such as the US-Israel war with Iran, renewable energy has played a critical role in reducing dependence on fossil fuels. Existing global wind and solar capacity has already avoided around 330 TWh of gas generation, delivering estimated savings of over $40 billion.
Experts emphasize that the rapid deployment of renewables strengthens energy security while reducing exposure to volatile fossil fuel markets. Solar, wind, and battery technologies are emerging as cost-effective, scalable solutions that enable countries to reduce reliance on imported energy and enhance resilience.
To support transparency and tracking, Ember has introduced a new data tool that monitors monthly wind and solar capacity additions across 25 countries, covering over 90 percent of global installations. This platform offers near real-time insights into renewable deployment trends, further supporting policy makers, investors, and stakeholders in navigating the evolving clean energy landscape.
BABURAJAN KIZHAKEDATH
