France, Paris: A record 750 GW of new renewable energy capacity will be added globally in 2025, but 1,700 GW remains stalled “in the queue”, waiting to be connected to power grids, according to the International Energy Agency’s (IEA) latest annual renewables report.

Speaking at the report’s launch, IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol described the backlog as “economically criminal”, warning that it represents one of the biggest obstacles to achieving the COP28 goal of tripling renewable capacity by 2030.

The IEA’s analysis shows that, under current conditions, renewable capacity is on track to rise 2.6 times by 2030 compared to 2022, falling short of the threefold target. Birol stressed that the shortfall could be closed if bottlenecks in grid integration, flexibility, and system planning are addressed.

“Curtailment is on the rise,” Birol said, adding that there remains a deep imbalance between investment in power generation and transmission infrastructure, with only half a dollar spent on grids for every dollar spent on new power plants.

The report highlights that variable renewables are placing growing pressure on electricity systems, with negative pricing events and energy waste already common in several markets. The IEA called for urgent investment in grids, storage, and flexible generation, alongside comprehensive transmission and planning strategies.

It also noted renewed momentum for pumped-storage hydropower, with growth expected to accelerate by 80 % in the next five years.

The IEA projects that global renewable power capacity will grow by 4,600 GW by 2030, led by solar PV, which is expected to account for 80 % of that increase, alongside wind, hydropower, and bioenergy.

Source: SEI

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