Conclusion

Renewable additions are once again expected to set records in 2025. Modest growth in annual additions is now needed to achieve a global tripling, yet forecasts suggest this may not be guaranteed without stronger policy support. Targets for both wind and solar lag far behind deployment trends and must be strengthened to maintain momentum on the ground.

Global renewable energy deployment has surged since the COP28 pledge to triple renewables by 2030. Annual additions have broken records each year, led by solar and driven largely by China. However, while encouraging, this growth alone may not be sufficient as forecasts still suggest a global tripling may not be reached without scaling up implementation.

Governments are not updating their ambitions in national targets fast enough to reflect the rapid acceleration already underway. This misalignment risks underinvestment in the enabling systems like grids, storage and flexibility needed to integrate soaring renewable capacity.

Wind energy additions, in particular, must scale up significantly. This will require unlocking supply chains, de-risking investment through stable policy mechanisms and setting clear national targets to drive long-term planning and deployment. Given the long lead times and capital intensity of wind projects, ambition must be front-loaded with action.

Moreover, the rapid growth of solar necessitates urgent parallel investment in grids and storage to avoid bottlenecks and curtailment. Infrastructure must keep pace to ensure system reliability and maximise the value of added capacity.

The pathway to tripling renewables by 2030 is within reach but only if governments increase ambition and implementation. National targets should be updated to reflect today’s pace of growth and to align investments and policy signals toward the grids and flexibility needed to support rising renewables deployment.