Global Renewable Energy Capacity Additions

How much new renewable power capacity the world added in 2023, the role of solar and China, and what tripling capacity by 2030 would take.

Updated October 1, 2026
4 min read
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Global

Executive Summary

The world added nearly 510 gigawatts (GW) of renewable power capacity in 2023, almost 50% more than the year before and the fastest growth in two decades. Solar PV made up three-quarters of the additions. In 2023, China commissioned as much solar PV as the entire world did in 2022.

Key Numbers

Capacity added, 2023: ~510 GW[1]; New renewable capacity worldwide.
Growth vs 2022: ~50%[1]; Fastest growth in two decades.
Solar PV share: 75%[1]; Share of 2023 renewable additions.
Tripling target, 2030: 11,000+ GW[1]; Capacity needed to triple from 2022 levels.

Charts

Renewable capacity additions by technology, 2023

Solar PV share of global renewable capacity additions, compared with all other renewables.

Solar PV75%
Other renewables25%

Unit: % · 2023Source: [1] International Energy Agency (IEA)

Capacity Additions

Global renewable capacity additions rose by almost 50% to nearly 510 GW in 2023, the fastest growth in the past two decades [1]. It was the 22nd year in a row of record additions [1].

Additions hit all-time highs in Europe, the United States and Brazil [1].

China

China's growth was extraordinary. In 2023 it commissioned as much solar PV as the entire world did in 2022, and its wind additions grew 66% year-on-year [1].

Outlook

Tripling global renewable power capacity from 2022 levels by 2030 would take it above 11,000 GW, in line with the IEA's net zero scenario [1]. The IEA says reaching this COP28 target depends on governments putting policies into practice [1].

Methodology

All figures come from the executive summary of the IEA's Renewables 2023 report [1]. The share chart uses the IEA's statement that solar PV accounted for three-quarters of additions.

Sources

[1]
Renewables 2023: Executive summary / International Energy Agency (IEA) / 2024 / Accessed October 1, 2026 / View source

Figures are reproduced from the publishers above. Calculations marked as our own are derived from these figures. Always check the original source before using a number.

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