Global renewable energy capacity additions in 2026 have surpassed every prior annual record, according to fresh data from the International Energy Agency and leading grid operators. The first half of the year alone saw more than 560 gigawatts of new solar and wind capacity come online — a pace that, if sustained, would more than double the record set in 2024.

Solar photovoltaic continues to lead the surge, with utility-scale projects in China, the United States, India, and Brazil accounting for the bulk of new deployments. Rooftop and distributed solar have also accelerated, particularly in Europe and Australia, where households and small businesses are increasingly pairing panels with battery systems to arbitrage time-of-use rates.

Wind power, both onshore and offshore, posted its strongest first-half additions on record. Offshore wind in particular rebounded after a challenging 2024–2025 period, as larger turbines, improved supply chains, and standardized floating-platform designs brought project costs back in line with grid economics. Several North Sea and East Asian projects reached financial close this quarter at unsubsidized prices below those of new gas-fired generation.

Battery storage capacity has been the quiet hero of the transition. Global installed battery storage is on track to exceed 400 gigawatts by the end of 2026, with grid-scale installations in California, Texas, China, and the United Kingdom demonstrating that renewables-plus-storage can reliably meet peak evening demand without gas peakers. Lithium-iron-phosphate chemistries have captured the majority of new deployments, driving average pack prices below $90 per kilowatt-hour.

Analysts caution that the record pace also brings integration challenges. Grid operators in regions with high renewable penetration are investing heavily in transmission, forecasting tools, and flexible demand to maintain reliability. Nonetheless, the trajectory is clear: 2026 is set to be the year in which clean electricity moves from a fast-growing sector to the default choice for new generation worldwide.