Percent of Electricity Produced from Renewable Sources
CURRENT TOTAL
Live Counter Notable Facts
(Data shown in the table is for 2025. Counter shows current estimate)
Global Renewable Share
Annual Growth Rate
Leading Source
Understanding Percent of Electricity Produced from Renewable Sources
This counter tracks the percentage of global electricity generation that comes from renewable energy sources, including hydroelectric, wind, solar photovoltaic, bioenergy, geothermal, and other renewable technologies. The transition to renewable electricity represents one of the most critical components of global decarbonization efforts.
Renewable electricity generation has experienced unprecedented growth over the past decade, with costs declining dramatically and deployment accelerating worldwide. Clean power sources now account for over 40% of global electricity generation, a milestone that seemed unlikely just two decades ago.
The renewable energy transition is driven by a combination of factors including climate policy commitments, dramatic cost reductions in solar and wind technologies, improved energy storage solutions, and growing corporate and consumer demand for clean electricity.
Global Renewable Electricity Landscape
- Renewable electricity capacity has grown from 800 GW in 2000 to over 3,400 GW in 2025, representing the fastest energy transition in human history, with solar and wind leading this transformation.
- Cost competitiveness has been achieved in most markets, with renewable electricity now the cheapest source of power generation in regions representing over 85% of global electricity demand.
- Grid integration challenges are being addressed through improved forecasting, flexible grid infrastructure, energy storage deployment, and demand response programs that help balance variable renewable generation.
- Policy support continues to play a crucial role, with over 160 countries having renewable energy targets and supportive policies, while corporate renewable energy procurement has become a major market driver.
Renewable Energy Terminology
- Renewable Energy: Energy from sources that are naturally replenished (sun, wind, water, biomass, geothermal)
- Grid Parity: Point where renewable electricity costs equal or are lower than conventional sources
- Variable Renewable Energy (VRE): Sources like wind and solar that produce electricity intermittently
- Power Purchase Agreement (PPA): Long-term contract for renewable electricity supply, often at fixed prices
Renewable Electricity by Technology (2025)
- Hydroelectric: 21.2% of total electricity (52% of renewables)
- Wind: 8.8% of total electricity (21% of renewables)
- Solar Photovoltaic: 6.1% of total electricity (15% of renewables)
- Bioenergy: 3.2% of total electricity (8% of renewables)
- Nuclear (Low-Carbon): 9.8% of total electricity
- Other Renewables: 1.6% of total electricity (4% of renewables)
Regional Renewable Penetration
- Norway: 98% renewable electricity (mainly hydro)
- Costa Rica: 95% renewable electricity (hydro, wind, solar)
- Iceland: 85% renewable electricity (hydro, geothermal)
- European Union: 44% renewable electricity (diversified)
- China: 31% renewable electricity (rapidly growing)
- United States: 23% renewable electricity (all technologies)
Market Trends and Projections
- Annual Capacity Additions: 295 GW of renewable capacity added in 2024
- Investment Flows: $1.1 trillion invested in renewable energy in 2024
- Grid Integration: $60 billion invested in grid flexibility and storage
- Corporate Procurement: 35 GW of corporate renewable PPAs signed in 2024
- 2030 Target: 70% renewable electricity needed for 1.5°C climate goal
Data Sources and References
Methodology and Data Collection
Renewable electricity statistics are compiled from national energy agencies, grid operators, and international organizations including IRENA and the IEA that track electricity generation by source worldwide.
Real-time percentage estimates incorporate known renewable capacity, seasonal generation patterns, and grid dispatch priorities, with the percentage increasing gradually as new renewable capacity comes online and fossil fuel plants are retired.