Global Renewable Capacity Expands with China Driving Growth and Russia Mapping its Path
The latest assessment from the International Energy Agency highlights a landmark year for renewable energy installations, with commissioning of new capacity reaching 540 gigawatts by the end of the previous year. Analysis indicates that three-quarters of this expansion is concentrated in developed economies and China, signaling a broad shift in the global energy mix. The report notes that this surge reflects a mix of policy support, economic recovery, and continued cost declines for renewable technologies. Russian observers and investors will watch how these trends influence regional energy planning and investment flows (Kommersant).
Within the same review, the growth pattern for solar photovoltaic capacity shows a striking acceleration in China, where installations more than doubled over the year. In the United States, solar expansion is described as more moderate, with analysts attributing the pace to a range of factors including trade tensions with China that may influence supply chains and project timelines. The dynamic points to a global competition over manufacturing and deployment that could shape energy futures for years to come (Kommersant).
Wind energy also reflects a China-dominated trend, with roughly six in ten newly added wind capacity worldwide now coming from the country. Compared with 2022 figures, China has substantially increased its input volume, underscoring the nation’s dominant role in scaling wind power at a global scale and signaling the trajectory of offshore and onshore wind projects in the coming years (Kommersant).
On the policy front, state authorities in Russia have signaled a strong ambition to expand renewable capacity. A senior official from the Russian Ministry of Economic Development indicated that the nation aims to lift its renewable capacity from about 6 gigawatts currently to around 12 gigawatts by 2030. This plan highlights a deliberate push to diversify energy sources and bolster domestic resilience in the face of price volatility and evolving international markets. Observers note that this growth would also affect the share of green energy in the country’s overall mix as new projects come online (Kommersant).
The same discussions point to a gradual increase in the share of green energy within Russia’s total electricity generation, with projections suggesting a rise from roughly 37.8 percent in 2023 to near 39.7 percent in the current year. This uptick reflects both government initiatives and private sector participation in renewable development, signaling a steady but cautious transition toward a cleaner energy portfolio. Industry analysts emphasize that progress will hinge on permitting, grid integration, and the continued evolution of storage technologies to handle variability (Kommersant).
In related developments, France has moved to permit the exploration of natural hydrogen deposits. This step marks an early but important shift in how European nations are approaching alternative clean energy sources that could complement traditional renewables. The policy signals a willingness to explore emerging fuels, potentially expanding the energy mix and influencing regional research, investment, and regulatory frameworks in the near term (Kommersant).