Renewable electricity will need to power 78% of the world’s grid by 2035, says IRENA
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Renewable electricity generation accelerated sharply in 2024, growing 9.8% year on year and far outpacing non-renewable sources, according to the Renewable Energy Statistics 2026 report released by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA).
Renewables generated 9,836 terawatt-hours (TWh) of electricity in 2024, accounting for 31.7% of global electricity production. By comparison, electricity generation from non-renewable sources rose by just 1.4%, underscoring the accelerating shift toward cleaner energy systems.
The report comes as the incoming COP31 Presidency of Türkiye has proposed a global target to raise electrification to 35% of final energy demand by 2035 as part of its Action Agenda. According to IRENA, achieving that goal would require renewable electricity to supply 78% of global power generation by 2035—around 2.5 times its current share.
Francesco La Camera, Director-General of IRENA, said the latest figures reinforce the central role of electrification in the global energy transition.
Simon Stiell, Executive Secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), said the figures demonstrate the growing momentum behind the global energy transition following commitments made at COP30.
“Every nation at COP30 agreed unanimously that the global transition is now ‘irreversible’ and this new data is powerful new evidence. With renewable power generation clocking its fastest growth ever, the shift to clean energy is charging ahead because it’s now cheaper, safer and faster-to-market.”
Andasol Solar Power Station, Spain. Source: Wikipedia