Alina Oprea • 22 March, 2023 at 3:56 PM
Global renewable energy capacity grew by 9.6% last year but needs to grow by three times the current rate to limit global warming, according to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA). IRENA's annual report on renewable energy statistics said global renewable energy capacity amounted to 3,372 gigawatts (GW) at the end of last year, some 295 GW or 9.6% higher than the previous year.
Some 83% of all new power capacity last year was from renewables.
"This continued record growth shows the resilience of renewable energy amidst the lingering energy crisis. But annual additions of renewable power capacity must grow three times the current level by 2030 if we want to stay on a pathway limiting global warming to 1.5C", IRENA's Director General Francesco La Camera said.
Solar and wind energy dominated the renewable capacity expansion, jointly accounting for 90% of all net renewable additions in 2022, the report said.
Almost half of the new capacity was added in Asia. China was the largest contributor, adding 141 GW to Asia's new capacity.
Renewables in Europe and North America grew by 57.3 GW and 29.1 GW respectively, while the Middle East recorded its highest increase in renewables on record, with 3.2 GW of new capacity commissioned in 2022, an increase of 12.8% from the previous year.