Renewable energy growth slows in 2026

The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) reports that the global expansion of renewable energy may slow in 2026, following five years of continuous growth. This potential slowdown comes after 2025, which saw a record 692 gigawatts (GW) of new renewable capacity added worldwide, a 15.5% increase from the previous year.

Infrastructure limits renewable expansion

A key factor in the potential slowdown is the growing mismatch between the speed of renewable energy installation and the capacity of electrical networks to transmit that power. This means that even if new renewable sources are built, the existing infrastructure may not be able to handle the electricity they generate.

China faces significant network challenges

China, the world's largest producer of renewable energy, is experiencing a slowdown in deployment due to limitations in its electrical grid. This issue is not unique to China, as similar challenges are also reported in Australia and Japan, according to IRENA officials.

Unused renewable energy highlights the problem

In the first half of 2026, China discarded an amount of renewable electricity equivalent to what would power Mexico for an entire year. This illustrates the scale of unused energy when networks reach their limits, and it highlights how China's situation affects the global renewable energy trend.

Solar leads in new renewable installations

In 2025, renewables accounted for 85.6% of new electricity capacity added globally, with solar energy leading the way at around 510 GW, followed by wind energy at 159 GW. This shows the significant role solar power is playing in the global energy transition.

Electricity networks become a bottleneck

The International Energy Agency (IEA) has warned that electricity networks are becoming a major obstacle to the energy transition. At least 3000 GW of renewable energy projects are currently waiting for connection, underscoring the urgent need for modernized infrastructure to support the growth of renewable energy.