Solar outpaces wind as renewables grow by record 81% in 2021

The world added more than 250 GW of renewable energy capacity in 2021, generating a record 81 percent of the total power capacity expansion last year despite global uncertainties, according to new data by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA).

The global renewable generation capacity increased 9.1 percent during 2021, reaching 3,064 GW, of which 1,230 GW was hydropower, the agency said in a report.

For the first time, solar power outgrew wind, the report said. Solar registered a record 133 GW of additions and a 19 percent increase in the cumulative capacity. Wind energy expanded by 93GW, including 21 GW offshore. Wind's growth slowed down compared to the 111 GW added in the previous year.

According to IRENA, renewables continued to gain momentum in spite of the pandemic, but the growth was not enough.

“Despite the encouraging global trend, our new World Energy Transitions Outlook shows that the energy transition is far from being fast or widespread enough to avert the dire consequences of climate change,” IRENA director-general Francesco La Camera said in a statement.

“Our current energy crisis also adds to the evidence that the world can no longer rely on fossil fuels to meet its energy demand,” La Camera added.

Bioenergy capacity showed a net expansion of 10.3GW in 2021 compared to 9.1GW in 2020, while geothermal energy had a strong year with 1.6 GW of additions. Off-grid electricity capacity increased by 466 MW to hit 11.2 GW.

Across the geographies, Asia installed 60 percent of the new capacity in 2021, with China accounting for 121 GW. Europe added 39 GW and North America 38 GW.