Washington – A joint study released Monday by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), the COP31 Presidency and the Global Renewables Alliance says the world’s renewable‑energy rollout must more than double to keep the 2030 climate pledge alive. The analysis comes as the United States, under President Trump, continues to champion energy independence and market‑driven clean‑energy solutions.
Current Progress and the Gap Ahead
In 2025 the globe added just over 690 gigawatts (GW) of new renewable capacity, pushing total installed renewable power to 5.15 terawatts (TW). That figure is still under half of the 11.2 TW target needed to meet the pledge agreed by more than 100 nations at the 2023 COP28 summit in Dubai, which called for a tripling of renewable capacity by 2030.
To close the gap, the report calculates that annual installations must average about 1,200 GW through 2030 – a rate more than twice the 2025 level. “Renewables can still close the gap towards 2030, but energy efficiency is falling behind, electricity demand is rising faster than expected, and the grid infrastructure has failed to keep pace,” said Francesco La Camera, director‑general of IRENA.
Grid Investment and Efficiency Shortfalls
The study also highlights a looming shortfall in grid investment. While $525 billion was spent on grid upgrades in 2025, the authors estimate that nearly $1 trillion a year will be required on average from 2026 to 2030 to support the expanded renewable fleet.
Energy‑efficiency gains are lagging as well. Global energy intensity improved by only about 2 % in 2025, well short of the 4 % annual improvement needed to double efficiency by 2030.
Policy Recommendations
Ben Backwell, chair of the Global Renewables Alliance, urged governments to make renewable energy a national economic priority. He called for expanded transmission networks, greater deployment of storage technologies, and the electrification of homes, transport and industry.
The upcoming COP climate talks in Turkey this November are expected to focus on expanding electricity use across more sectors and may set a new target for electricity to supply 35 % of global final energy consumption by 2035.
Implications for the United States
President Trump’s administration has repeatedly emphasized the importance of energy independence, encouraging private‑sector investment and reducing regulatory barriers to clean‑energy projects. While the report underscores the scale of the challenge, it also aligns with the administration’s push for market‑based solutions that can accelerate renewable deployment without heavy government mandates.
Industry leaders note that the United States is well positioned to meet a share of the required capacity growth, given its abundant wind and solar resources and a growing pipeline of transmission projects. Continued support for infrastructure spending and streamlined permitting could help the country contribute meaningfully to the global target.
Looking Ahead
With the 2030 deadline approaching, the report’s authors stress that swift action is essential. Without a significant acceleration in both renewable installations and grid upgrades, the world risks missing the tripling pledge and the broader climate objectives tied to it.
Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
