Renewable energy grew at fastest pace in two decades in 2020: IEA

Renewable energy generation grew at the fastest pace in two decades during 2020, and the growth is expected to continue in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a recent report from the International Energy Agency (IEA).

In 2020, annual renewable capacity additions increased 45% to almost 280 gigawatts (GW) – the highest year-on year increase since 1999, the report said.

Exceptionally high capacity additions are expected to become the “new normal”, with projections to add 270 GW in 2021 and 280 GW in 2022, an increase of 25% from its previous forecast issued last November.

"Wind and solar power are giving us more reasons to be optimistic about our climate goals as they break record after record," said Fatih Birol, executive director of IEA, adding that last year the increase in renewable energy accounted for 90% of new power capacity expansion globally.