What's Happening?
Global Energy Monitor (GEM) has reported an 11% growth in the global capacity of planned wind and utility-scale solar projects, reaching 4.9 terawatts (TW) in 2025. Despite this growth, the year-on-year increase has slowed compared to previous years,
with wind projects experiencing political barriers and failed auctions. China and India lead in project construction, with China hosting over half of the under-construction projects. The report highlights the need for significant annual additions to meet the COP28 commitment to triple renewable energy capacity by 2030. However, the current pipeline falls short of the required targets, with political barriers potentially delaying deployment.
Why It's Important?
The slowed growth in wind and solar projects poses challenges to achieving global renewable energy targets. As the world approaches the final years of the COP28 implementation period, the need for accelerated deployment is critical. Political barriers and implementation disincentives could hinder progress, impacting efforts to transition to cleaner energy sources. The report underscores the importance of addressing these challenges to ensure the successful expansion of renewable energy capacity. With China leading the way, other countries, including G7 nations, must increase their efforts to align with global targets and support the clean energy transition.
