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Last Update: 10/26/2026 at 11:33 PM EST
Renewable Electricity Transition
Coverage from Wood Mackenzie, Bangkok Post, and others
The renewable electricity transition is reshaping how power is generated and delivered, led by rapid growth in solar photovoltaics and wind alongside expanding battery storage.
Its defining challenge is system integration: transmission, grid flexibility, storage, and updated regulation must connect variable generation with rising demand from electrification, industry, and data centers. China is a major source of capacity growth, while deployment and progress vary across India, the United States, Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. The transition also affects energy security, fossil-fuel dependence, power-sector emissions, and the economics of electricity.
Key Articles3 of 78 articles
If you read one thing
It clearly explains how solar and wind growth covered most new electricity demand and highlights regional shifts in China and India.
Best explainer
It connects record renewable additions to the remaining 2030 capacity gap and the grid investment needed to address deployment bottlenecks.
Latest development
As the identified Story So Far driver, it adds the crucial context that clean-power gains have not yet reversed broader emissions growth.
Key Issues
Clean power is covering new electricity demand
Solar- and wind-led clean generation met or exceeded global electricity-demand growth in 2025, with several analyses reporting enough growth to cover all net new demand. This marks a power-sector shift, but does not by itself establish a decline in fossil use across the wider energy system.
Record deployment remains short of the 2030 target pace
Global renewable capacity additions reached a record in 2025, but the current rate remains below what is needed to triple capacity by 2030. The cited estimates put required annual additions substantially above the 2025 level.
Grid capacity constrains renewable deployment
Renewable buildout and rising electricity demand are running up against grid-connection, transmission and delivery limits. Reports call for much higher grid investment, while project queues and regional constraints delay or restrict the use of new capacity.
Power-sector gains have not reversed broader emissions growth
Renewables meeting new electricity demand has not yet translated into a decline in wider fossil use or global emissions: reporting describes high fossil-energy use and record emissions, alongside clean-power gains. Growing demand and regional fuel choices shape how much renewable expansion reduces total emissions.
Key Numbers
86 percent
global energy supplied by fossil fuels
“The Energy Institute’s Statistical Review of World Energy, published in June, found that fossil fuels still supplied 86 percent of global energy in 2025 and that fossil fuel use continued to grow in absolute terms.”
100 GW
GE Vernova gas-power equipment backlog and slot reservations
“GE Vernova's gas-power equipment backlog and slot reservations reached 116 GW in the second quarter of 2026, up from 100 GW only three months earlier. The company is already taking reservations for delivery in 2031.”
69-GW
Siemens Energy gas-turbine backlog
“Siemens Energy shipped 6 GW of turbines during its fiscal third quarter of 2026, yet finished the period with a 69-GW gas-turbine backlog. Company executives said lead times were running at three years or more.”
three years or more
gas-turbine lead time
“Siemens Energy shipped 6 GW of turbines during its fiscal third quarter of 2026, yet finished the period with a 69-GW gas-turbine backlog. Company executives said lead times were running at three years or more.”
$525 billion in 2025
grid investment
“Nearly $1 trillion a year on average is needed in grid investment between 2026 and 2030, up from $525 billion in 2025, the report said.”
Looking Back
454 Day Timeline
Jul '25
Sep '25
Dec '25
Feb '26
Apr '26
Jul '26
Sep '26
The Story So Far
New development
Clean-energy growth leaves global emissions plateaued
Despite renewables supplying nearly all growth in global electricity generation and clean-energy investment reaching a record, rising energy demand kept global greenhouse-gas emissions from declining. The gains are not yet translating into an overall emissions reduction.
Previously
Renewable electricity expanded sharply in 2025, with solar and wind supplying nearly all or more than all of global electricity demand growth in several reported analyses. Fossil generation was broadly flat or edged down, while renewable output surpassed coal in some comparisons; the shift was especially visible in China and India but varied across regions. Continued progress depends in part on storage, grid capacity, and whether renewable growth can keep pace with rising electricity demand and meet longer-term targets.
All Articles78 articles
Important
Wood Mackenzie projected in its 2026 global power outlook that electricity demand will rise worldwide, with regional power strategies shaped by grid and policy constraints.
9/29/2026 • Clean Energy & Emissions • General
IRENA reported in 2025 that global renewable power capacity grew by 693 GW, narrowing but not eliminating the gap to the COP28 2030 target.
9/21/2026 • Clean Energy & Emissions • General
IRENA, the COP31 presidency and the Global Renewables Alliance reported during Climate Week in New York that 2025 renewable additions fell short of the pace needed to triple capacity by 2030.
9/21/2026 • Clean Energy & Emissions • General
S&P Global Energy reported in its 2060 pathways study that rising energy demand in emerging and developing economies could make ambitious climate targets harder to achieve globally.
9/20/2026 • Clean Energy & Emissions • General
Households worldwide invested $332 billion in clean technologies in 2024, expanding consumer participation in Australia, Pakistan, and other electricity markets.
9/8/2026 • Clean Energy & Emissions • General
Ember’s Global Electricity Review 2026 reports renewables reached 33.8 percent of world electricity in 2025, driven by fast-growing solar and battery deployment.
4/28/2026 • Clean Energy & Emissions • General
The International Renewable Energy Agency and partner organizations reported in September that global renewable deployment and grid investment must accelerate through 2030 to meet the COP28 pledge.
9/21/2026 • Clean Energy & Emissions • General
During the 2025-26 surge in electricity demand worldwide, energy planners are turning to quickly built renewables while addressing turbine, grid, and firm-capacity bottlenecks.
9/21/2026 • Clean Energy & Emissions • General
Energy Institute, with Ember and partners, reports 2025 energy-related CO2-eq emissions reached a record 41.0 billion metric tons despite renewable generation growth.
7/13/2026 • Clean Energy & Emissions • General
University of South Australia researchers published the GREaSE model in 2025 to assess global energy-transition bottlenecks and potential power shortfalls during rapid fossil-fuel replacement.
9/9/2026 • Clean Energy & Emissions • General
IRENA reported that 2025 renewables added 692 GW globally at lower costs than new fossil generation, while new gas generation costs rose.
7/3/2026 • Clean Energy & Emissions • General
Germany and China policy and manufacturing advances supported solar-led renewables overtaking coal for global electricity in 2025.
6/25/2026 • Clean Energy & Emissions • General
Charlie Gay, Hans-Josef Fell, and Li Junfeng are recognized for work connected to renewables surpassing coal in worldwide electricity in 2025.
6/25/2026 • Clean Energy & Emissions • General
Ember reported in 2025 that low-emissions sources met all new global electricity demand, led by solar and wind, while grid flexibility and emissions still constrain Paris 1.5C alignment.
4/21/2026 • Clean Energy & Emissions • General
An IISD interview on global renewable energy trends in the 2020s discusses solar, wind, storage, and energy security but omits any coverage of heat pump technologies or policies.
1/23/2026 • Clean Energy & Emissions • General
Global power grids in 2025 see renewable dominance and storage driven policy, accelerating heat pump deployment as a flexible load.
1/20/2026 • Clean Energy & Emissions • General
Ember reports 2025 solar growth and faster battery storage expansion helped clean power exceed electricity demand growth globally as fossil generation flattened.
4/20/2026 • Clean Energy & Emissions • General
In 2025, the Energy Institute statistical review reports low-carbon electricity supplied all new power growth and data centres accounted for 15% of electricity gains.
6/29/2026 • Clean Energy & Emissions • General
Researchers found that Yunnan Provincial Power Grid experienced recurring multi-day wind and solar generation droughts from 2016 to 2024, with meteorological forecasting potentially improving reliability planning.
9/4/2026 • Climate Science & Impacts • General
IRENA reported in the 2020s that wind, solar, and batteries can deliver firm 24/7 electricity at lower cost than new coal or gas in prime regions.
5/21/2026 • Clean Energy & Emissions • General
IEA reported 2025 CO2 emissions and atmospheric CO2 rising while electrification and renewable capacity additions accelerate worldwide.
4/21/2026 • Clean Energy & Emissions • General
The International Energy Agency reported 2025 global energy demand grew 1.3% and electricity demand rose about 3%, driven by electrification, rising EV adoption, and solar-led supply growth.
4/20/2026 • Clean Energy & Emissions • General
The IEA and cited cost data argue UK renewable integration is constrained more by transmission, connection rules, and permitting than by intermittency itself.
4/8/2026 • Clean Energy & Emissions • General
In a January 2026 Electrek interview, energy analyst Leah Qusba explains that Winter Storm Ferns US outages mainly reflected distribution failures and thermal plant issues.
1/30/2026 • Clean Energy & Emissions • General
Inside Climate News reports in January 2026 on researchers forecasting global solar photovoltaic capacity could reach 75 terawatts by 2050, while U.S. policy cuts solar subsidies.
1/15/2026 • Clean Energy & Emissions • General
The Energy Transitions Commission reported in 2026 that global clean-energy investment reached $2.1 trillion in 2025, but emissions plateaued worldwide as rising demand exceeded clean-electricity growth.
9/2/2026 • Clean Energy & Emissions • General
At Heatmap House on Wednesday morning in 2026, Al Gore argued that accelerating renewable energy and electric-vehicle adoption could mark a positive climate turning point, while New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill described state clean-power measures.
9/23/2026 • Clean Energy & Emissions • General
Renewable energy developers are expanding solar, wind and storage worldwide in 2025-2026, as renewable electricity is projected to surpass coal globally by mid-2026 amid rising demand and grid constraints.
9/22/2026 • Clean Energy & Emissions • General
Grand View Research forecasts global modular substation revenue to reach USD 51.3 million by 2033 as renewable integration and grid expansion increase demand worldwide.
9/7/2026 • Clean Energy & Emissions • General
Utilities and energy market participants are expanding renewable energy forecasting platforms from 2025 through 2035 across North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific to improve variable-generation integration and reduce imbalance exposure.
9/3/2026 • Clean Energy & Emissions • General
McKinsey & Company reported in 2025 that global energy demand, fossil fuel use and clean energy deployment all increased, requiring broader investment across the global energy system.
9/3/2026 • Clean Energy & Emissions • General
University of Colorado Boulder researchers found that renewable projects reduce emissions most effectively when their timing and location displace fossil-fuel generation.
8/14/2026 • Clean Energy & Emissions • General
Grid reliability coverage links Winter Storm Uri and Winter Storm Fern outcomes to higher coal and gas failure risk and growing solar, wind, and battery roles across the United States.
5/16/2026 • Clean Energy & Emissions • General
Grid Strategies and EDF are cited in analyses linking battery storage with wind and solar reliability during Winter Storm Uri and Winter Storm Fern in the USA.
4/30/2026 • Clean Energy & Emissions • General
Ember reports that solar and wind generation met all global electricity demand growth in 2025, while fossil generation fell in China and India.
4/22/2026 • Clean Energy & Emissions • General
Ember reported that 2025 clean electricity generation rose faster than global electricity demand, with solar-led growth and battery-supported midday shifting driving fossil fuel declines across major regions.
4/21/2026 • Clean Energy & Emissions • General
In 2025, renewable generators worldwide supplied about 34% of electricity and added 629 gigawatts of capacity, while grids faced storage, transmission and reliability constraints.
8/31/2026 • Clean Energy & Emissions • General
Ember reports renewables replaced coal as the leading global electricity source in 2025 as wind and solar met nearly all electricity-demand growth.
4/20/2026 • Clean Energy & Emissions • General
IRENA projects firm 24/7 solar and wind electricity with battery storage could reach below $50/MWh by 2035, depending on region and Dunkelflaute frequency.
5/20/2026 • Clean Energy & Emissions • General
In the United States, clean energy expansion depends on transmission lines, battery storage, and digital grid cybersecurity alongside solar and wind generation.
5/19/2026 • Clean Energy & Emissions • General
Ember reported in 2025 that solar and wind electricity growth met global demand increases and reduced fossil-fuel generation worldwide.
4/28/2026 • Clean Energy & Emissions • General
Ember research reports solar and wind met most global electricity demand growth in 2025 while fossil generation fell slightly, with battery storage playing a key role as grid upgrades are needed.
4/20/2026 • Clean Energy & Emissions • General
International Renewable Energy Agency data shared with Reuters reports record global renewable capacity in 2025, led by solar growth and approaching COP28 tripling targets.
3/30/2026 • Clean Energy & Emissions • General
China, the European Union, and the United States expand solar photovoltaic capacity as costs fall and coal generation shares decline from 2015 levels.
3/29/2026 • Clean Energy & Emissions • General
Interesting
ACP analysis links extreme-weather electricity demand spikes to grid cost pressure and highlights solar, wind, and batteries as lower-cost resilience options in the USA.
7/1/2026 • Clean Energy & Emissions • General
The Energy Institute reported on July 29 that global primary energy supply reached 600 exajoules in 2025, as renewable growth accompanied continued fossil-fuel use and rising emissions worldwide.
8/5/2026 • Clean Energy & Emissions • General
Renewable energy growth in 2025, led by solar and wind, surpassed coal in global electricity generation and supported power-sector CO2 stabilization.
7/11/2026 • Clean Energy & Emissions • General
Eurostat reported that EU natural gas and renewable energy supply increased in 2025, while coal and petroleum supply declined and renewables produced 47.2% of electricity.
6/29/2026 • Clean Energy & Emissions • General
RMI says rising US electricity demand and clean power cost advantages are driving grid modernization needs, centered on faster interconnection and reliability upgrades.
6/23/2026 • Clean Energy & Emissions • General
RMI says US electricity-grid reliability requires new generation, transmission, and storage as demand grows and extreme weather worsens.
6/23/2026 • Clean Energy & Emissions • General
In the 2020s, United States climate-policy advocates argue that expanding renewables, batteries, and transmission can lower energy costs and reduce exposure to fossil fuel shocks.
6/22/2026 • Clean Energy & Emissions • General
Future Smart Strategies modeling projects solar, wind, and battery-driven renewables could supply about 80% of global electricity by 2035, contrasting BloombergNEF assumptions.
6/11/2026 • Clean Energy & Emissions • General
GlobalData forecasts renewables will exceed 40% of global electricity generation by 2030, driven by cost declines and decarbonization amid geopolitical energy-security concerns.
5/27/2026 • Clean Energy & Emissions • General
IRENA estimates firm solar-plus-battery and wind-plus-battery electricity costs are declining and may fall below $50/MWh at best sites by 2035 across multiple markets.
5/7/2026 • Clean Energy & Emissions • General
In 2025, a renewable energy overview argues that falling solar and wind costs and grid adaptations improve electricity reliability and affordability compared with fossil generation, citing BloombergNEF data.
7/3/2025 • Clean Energy & Emissions • General
IEA forecasts higher global electricity demand growth in 2026-2027 while LNG disruptions shift some generation toward coal and expand renewable-driven flexibility needs.
7/23/2026 • Clean Energy & Emissions • General
Our World in Data map updates 2024-2025 electricity shares, showing coal and gas persistence in many countries while solar and wind rise rapidly.
6/20/2026 • Clean Energy & Emissions • General
Battery cost declines and improved performance support renewable integration in solar and wind grids, illustrated by California's 24-hour cycle.
4/2/2026 • Clean Energy & Emissions • General
Pew Research Center uses Ember and Our World in Data to report wind and solar growth and coal decline in global electricity through 2025.
7/20/2026 • Clean Energy & Emissions • General
IRENA reported in 2025 that newly commissioned renewable projects lowered electricity costs versus new fossil options and cut global fossil fuel purchasing by about USD 480 billion.
7/3/2026 • Clean Energy & Emissions • General
Science’s 2025 Breakthrough of the Year honors Charlie Gay, Hans-Josef Fell, and Li Junfeng for contributions enabling renewables to surpass coal electricity worldwide.
6/25/2026 • Clean Energy & Emissions • General
In 2025, 636 TWh of newly installed global solar PV supplied 75% of electricity-demand growth, prompting focus on siting, land-use mitigation, and materials advances.
6/19/2026 • Clean Energy & Emissions • General
Ember reported in 2025 that renewables exceeded one-third of global electricity generation and outpaced demand, while solar growth increased reliance on battery storage.
5/20/2026 • Clean Energy & Emissions • General
IRENA estimates battery costs fell 93 percent since 2010, enabling solar and wind plus storage to compete with new coal and undercut new gas in some regions.
5/8/2026 • Clean Energy & Emissions • General
In Louisiana and the U.S. Southeast, natural gas fuel charges linked to extreme weather can raise electricity bills, while wind and solar reduce fuel-cost volatility.
4/8/2026 • Clean Energy & Emissions • General
IRENA reported that renewables reached 49% of installed global power capacity by end-2025, adding 692 GW led by solar amid fuel-shipping disruptions.
4/1/2026 • Clean Energy & Emissions • General
Renewable energy decarbonization depends on grid modernization, storage, and flexibility tools like demand response and AI, shaping power system reliability.
3/23/2026 • Clean Energy & Emissions • General
Ember Global Electricity Review 2026 reports that solar growth in 2025 met new global electricity demand and limited fossil generation growth, amid U.S. and China energy competition.
6/19/2026 • Clean Energy & Emissions • General
IRENA reported renewables provided 85.6% of global capacity expansion in 2025, but non-renewable rebound and insufficient acceleration threaten COP28 2030 targets.
3/31/2026 • Clean Energy & Emissions • General
A new framework links energy-transition outcomes to delivery uncertainty, showing monotonic admitted service frontiers can coexist with non-monotonic adoption curves.
6/27/2026 • Clean Energy & Emissions • General
IRENA reported that solar and wind paired with battery storage can already compete on cost with new coal and often new gas power, citing falling battery prices.
5/8/2026 • Clean Energy & Emissions • General
International Renewable Energy Agency cites falling wind and solar costs and lower battery storage costs as renewable power deployment accelerates across China, Europe, and other regions.
5/6/2026 • Clean Energy & Emissions • General
IRENA reported that global solar PV added 510GW in 2025, lifting total renewable capacity to 5,149GW and making renewables 85.6% of new electricity capacity.
3/31/2026 • Clean Energy & Emissions • General
IRENA reported 692 GW of renewable capacity additions in 2025, led by solar, with Asia dominating growth and Middle East gains tied to Saudi Arabia.
3/31/2026 • Clean Energy & Emissions • General
In 2025, global renewable power capacity additions reached 692 GW and generation shares rose, while grid and permitting constraints limited the speed toward sustained fossil decline.
6/28/2026 • Clean Energy & Emissions • General
Renewable energy advocates cite IRENA, the IEA, and U.S. agencies to argue solar, wind, and storage costs have fallen and deployments are rising in the United States and China.
5/23/2026 • Clean Energy & Emissions • General
Renewable energy investment is forecast to expand through 2030, driven by net-zero targets, electrification, and storage-integrated grid modernization, with HTAP mentioned for renewable gas production.
3/20/2026 • Clean Energy & Emissions • General
Additional
Within the MISO grid and broader U.S. planning context, critiques of wind and solar cite intermittency-driven backup, storage, transmission, and land requirements for reliability.
3/23/2026 • Policy, Politics & Governance • General