Renewable energy accounted for 83% of new power capacity added in 2022

In response to the energy crisis created by Russia’s war in Ukraine, more countries are looking to diversify their energy portfolios, leading to a 9.6% increase in global renewable energy capacity in 2022, according to a recent report by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA).

The report, entitled “Renewable Capacity Statistics”, found that renewable energy sources accounted for an impressive 83% of all new power capacity added last year, equating to an increase of 295 GW of renewable capacity. Although reliance on fossil fuel power generation decreased, IRENA states that considerably more progress must be achieved if the goal of limiting temperature rises to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels is to be met by 2030, as outlined in the 2015 Paris climate accord.

Solar and wind energy dominated new renewable capacity additions, comprising 90% of all renewable generation capacity added last year. Regions that experienced the most growth included Asia, the U.S., and Europe, with Asia adding nearly half of all new renewables, while Europe and the U.S. saw increases of 57.3 GW and 29.1 GW, respectively.

Although China was the largest national contributor of renewables in 2022, adding 141 GW of renewable energy, the Middle East had the highest year-on-year increase in renewables growth, commissioning 3.2 GW of new capacity, a 12.8% increase from 2021.

IRENA’s Director-General, Francesco La Camera, hailed the continued growth of renewable energy, which he believes demonstrates its resilience amidst the ongoing global energy crisis, and the report underscores the vital role played by enabling policies and a strong business case for renewables.

This report arrives following findings from the United Nations’ Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) synthesis report, which stated that reductions in fossil fuel emissions must be halved by the mid-2030s.

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