Overview

Wind and solar continue to grow, but not at the pace required to meet COP targets.

The energy transition is about systems change. GEM data serve as vital reference points for understanding where the world is at in this transition. The center of gravity for new clean power has shifted decisively toward emerging and developing economies. Even though global prospective wind and solar reached almost 5 terawatts (TW) in 2025, growth has plateaued in Group of 7 nations, jeopardising the global goal to triple renewables capacity by 2030. A misdirected focus on nuclear power in these nations may also stall action and not fulfill the hyped promises.

Meanwhile China continues to lead the way in the renewables race to the top with its combined operating wind, utility-scale solar, and distributed solar capacity surpassing 1.6 TW in 2025, triple the combined capacity of its closest peers, the United States and India. However, China is also one of the top countries together with Brazil burning biomass, accounting for almost half (46%) of global capacity. Environmental concerns and co-firing with coal make biomass combustion growth concerning, with investment into this energy source better spent supporting the expansion of wind and solar.

The global conversation is turning more to the technologies that will support a sustainable transition, including storage. Cheaper renewables and rising storage needs are powering a new wave of pumped storage hydropower (PSH) growth. PSH is the largest source of large-scale energy storage globally, playing a critical role in grid stability and renewables integration. Technological advancement is also helping to advance geothermal, a previously restricted market, with just three countries currently accounting for half of total operating capacity. Improved technology and decreased cost could lead to rapid geothermal deployment, with the U.S. accounting for more than a third of all new geothermal power under development.