Wind and Solar Year Review 2024

In 2024, global prospective utility-scale solar and wind capacity grew by over 20% to 4.4 TW, though this remains only half of the 9 TW required to meet COP28's tripling renewables goal. While at least 240 GW of capacity became operational in 2024, project completion rates vary significantly: 76% in G7 countries, 55% in China, and 52% in other non-G7 countries. China leads in both operating capacity (at least 891 GW) and prospective projects, planning over two-thirds of all future utility-scale solar and wind projects. Conversely, G7 countries hold 45% of global GDP but are building only 10% of planned projects.

• Global prospective utility-scale solar and wind capacity—including announced, pre-construction, and construction phases—increased by more than 20% in 2024, rising from 3.6 terawatts (TW) to 4.4 TW. This total is insufficient to meet the COP28 goal of tripling renewables capacity by 2030, which requires approximately 9 TW of wind and solar.
• Project completion rates for solar and wind farms designated to be operational by the end of 2024 show a significant geographic divide. While 76% of projects in G7 countries were completed on time, only 55% in China and 52% in other non-G7 countries met their deadlines. Additionally, 10% of projects in non-G7 countries (excluding China) were shelved in 2024.
• At least 240 GW of utility-scale solar and wind capacity became operational globally in 2024, representing a 14% increase in operating capacity. China maintains the highest operating capacity with at least 891 GW. In the United States, solar and wind produced more energy than coal during the first seven months of 2024, ending the year with 274 GW of operating capacity.
• There is a stark asymmetry between economic wealth and renewable energy deployment. G7 countries account for 45% of global GDP but are only building 10% of planned solar and wind projects. China is projected to build 70% of all utility-scale solar and wind projects in the coming years.

APA

O'Malia, D. K. J. S. K. (2025). Wind and Solar Year Review 2024. Global Energy Monitor. https://globalenergymonitor.org/research/wind-and-solar-year-review-2024

Chicago

O'Malia, Diren Kocakuşak, Janna Smith, Kasandra. Wind and Solar Year Review 2024. Global Energy Monitor, 2025. https://globalenergymonitor.org/research/wind-and-solar-year-review-2024.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=O'Malia |first1=Diren Kocakuşak, Janna Smith, Kasandra |title=Wind and Solar Year Review 2024 |publisher=Global Energy Monitor |date=28 February 2025 |url=https://globalenergymonitor.org/research/wind-and-solar-year-review-2024 |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{omalia2025wind, author = {O'Malia, Diren Kocakuşak, Janna Smith, Kasandra}, title = {{Wind and Solar Year Review 2024}}, institution = {Global Energy Monitor}, year = {2025}, month = feb, url = {https://globalenergymonitor.org/research/wind-and-solar-year-review-2024}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }