WASHINGTON (AP) — Installation of renewable energy worldwide hit a record high last year, with 92.5% of all new electricity brought online coming from the sun, wind or other clean sources, an international agency reports.
Nearly 64% of the new renewable electricity capacity in 2024 was in China, according to Wednesday’s report by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA). Overall, the world added 585 billion watts of new renewable electrical energy, a 15.1% jump from 2023, with 46% of the world’s electricity coming from solar, wind and other green non-nuclear energy sources.
But even that big jump does not put the globe on track to reach the international goal of tripling renewable energy from 2023 to 2030, with the world on pace to be 28% short, IRENA calculated. The goal was adopted in 2023 as part of the world’s efforts to curb the increasing impacts of climate change and transition away from fossil fuels such as coal, oil and natural gas.
“Renewable energy is powering down the fossil fuel age. Record-breaking growth is creating jobs, lowering energy bills and cleaning our air,” United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said in a statement. “But the shift to clean energy must be faster and fairer.”
China added almost 374 billion watts of renewable power — three quarters of it from solar panels — in 2024. That’s more than eight times as much as the United States did and five times what Europe added last year.
China now has nearly 887 billion watts of solar panel power, compared to 176 billion in the United States, nearly 90 billion watts in Germany, 21 billion watts in France and more than 17 billion watts in the United Kingdom.
United Nations climate chief Simon Stiell used the figures Wednesday to challenge Europe and other industrialized nations to catch up with China.
“As one government steps back from climate leadership, it opens up space for others to step forward and seize the vast benefits,” Stiell told European leaders in Berlin, making reference to U.S. President Trump’s withdrawal from the Paris climate agreement. “The clean energy transition can be Europe’s economic engine-room now — when new sources of growth are vital to buttress living standards and for decades to come.”
Stiell said the IRENA numbers show that the “global renewables boom is unstoppable” and said the market for green energy reached $2 trillion last year.
The move to renewables can grow even faster, said Neil Grant, senior policy analyst at Climate Analytics, which tracks and projects countries’ climate change fighting efforts.
“If in 2024 renewables grew 15%, think how much faster they could grow with the full backing of comprehensive, credible and ambitious climate policies around the world,” said Grant, who wasn’t part of the IRENA report.
Prime Minister Dr. Andrew Holness has announced a series of new and expanded benefits from the National Housing Trust (NHT) to benefit Jamaicans.
The series of improved benefits will take effect in the coming months are aimed at making homeownership more affordable and accessible for Jamaicans.
These enhancements, which include increased loan limits, reduced deposit requirements, and expanded grants, represent a significant investment in improving the lives of NHT contributors.
Starting July 1, 2025, several key changes will take effect:
Increased Loan Limits: Individual loan limits will rise from $7.5 million to $9 million, while two co-applicants can now access $17 million and three co-applicants up to $23 million.
The loan ceiling for construction loans will also be increased to $11 million for individuals, $17 million for two co-applicants, and $23 million for three co-applicants.
Lower Deposit Requirements: For contributors earning less than $30,000 weekly, the deposit requirement for open market loans will be reduced from 5% to 2% for properties valued at $14 million or less, making it easier for more Jamaicans to own a home.
Reduced Service Charges: Those earning $30,000 or less per week will see their 2% service charge eliminated, while those earning between $30,000 and $42,000 per week will have their charge reduced from 5% to 2%.
Expanded Home Grant Eligibility: The maximum qualifying income for Home Grants will increase to $30,000 per week, enabling more contributors to access grants of up to $3.5 million.
Home Improvement Loan: The waiting time to access this loan will be reduced from 10 to 7 years, and the loan limit will increase from $3.5 million to $5 million.
There are also special Initiatives for pensioners and public sector workers. These include:
Smart Energy Grant Expansion: Initially available only to public sector pensioners, this grant of up to $1.5 million for solar panel installation and alternative energy systems will be expanded to private sector pensioners.
Smart Energy Loan Increase: The loan amount will increase from $1.5 million to $2.5 million, and the interest rate will now range from 0-5%, making it more affordable for lower-income contributors.
Targeted Institutional Loan Programme: The NHT will partner with hospitals to provide on-site housing for healthcare workers, with ongoing discussions also considering the tourism, security, and education sectors.
New Contribution Refund Option for Private Sector Mortgagors
Private sector mortgagors will now have the choice to apply their NHT contribution refunds toward their existing mortgages, provided their loans are free of arrears.
In the meantime, Prime Minister Holness announced that as the NHT approaches its 50th anniversary in 2025/26, the agency will commemorate its milestone with the development of a new park in Mandeville and the expansion of its scholarship programme from 10 to 50 awards.
Prime Minister Holness said his administration is committed to housing affordability, stating.
“These enhancements reflect our dedication to ensuring that every Jamaican has a fair opportunity to own a home and improve their quality of life,” said Dr. Holness.
The Government is waiving the requirement for homeowners to get the Ministry of Science, Energy, Telecommunications and Transport’s support in obtaining the income tax credit for residential solar photovoltaic system installations.
The ministry says the decision makes way for homeowners who have invested in solar energy to seamlessly access their tax benefits, “reinforcing the government’s commitment to achieving 50 per cent renewable energy generation goals by 2030”.
Under the programme persons can access an income tax credit at the rate of 30 per cent of the acquisition and installation cost of a solar photovoltaic system for the taxpayer’s primary residence to a maximum cost of $4 million.
“We recognise the efforts of Jamaicans who have taken the initiative to invest in solar energy. This waiver will streamline the process for these individuals and facilitate the timely disbursement of their entitled tax credits,” said Minister of Science, Energy, Telecommunications and Transport, Daryl Vaz, in a media release on Wednesday.
In the meantime, the ministry maintains that, starting April 1, 2025, a net billing licence will be a prerequisite for those seeking future incentives in accordance with The Electricity Act 2015 and The Electricity (Net Billing Regulations), 2022.
Only completely off-grid self-generators who are not connected to the Jamaica Public Service grid are exempt from licensing.
LONDON, March 21 (Reuters) – GB Energy will lead a 200 million pound ($260 million) solar panel project for hospitals and schools, Britain said on Friday, in the first investment for the state-owned company since it was set up last year with the aim of lowering energy bills.
A key part of the Labour government’s plan to improve public services in Britain and help revive the economy, GB Energy was established in October to drive investment in renewables.
The 200-million-pound deal could help dampen speculation around GB Energy’s funding ahead of a budget update speech from finance minister Rachel Reeves next Wednesday, when she is expected to announce cuts to public spending plans.
GB Energy will pay for solar panels on the roofs of schools and hospitals, in this first major project, with the first installations expected to be made this summer, the government said.
A jump in energy bills since the Ukraine war has heaped extra pressure on already strained health and education budgets, but the new solar panels and related renewable schemes will help cut those costs, the statement said.
“Great British Energy’s first major project will be to help our vital public institutions save hundreds of millions on bills to reinvest on the frontline,” energy minister Ed Miliband said.
“This is our clean energy superpower mission in action, with lower bills and energy security for our country.”
GB Energy will make this investment alongside the government as the parliamentary process to finalise its creation is not expected to complete until next month.
Of the total investment, about 80 million pounds has been earmarked for schools in England, while 100 million pounds will go on hospitals. GB Energy will also work with devolved governments on solar projects for their schools and hospitals.
HAVANA, March 20 (Reuters) – Cuba is making progress on a China-backed plan to install more than 50 solar parks this year capable of churning out more than 1,000 megawatts, the Energy Ministry said late on Wednesday, just days after the country’s antiquated grid collapsed and left millions in the dark.
In the most detailed report yet on the plan’s progress, energy officials said two solar parks had come online in February – one in Havana and one in Cienfuegos – and that by the end of March, workers would complete six more.
By the end of March, eight of the planned 50 solar parks will be operating, producing 170 megawatts, said Ovel Concepción Díaz, a top renewable energy official with the Energy Ministry.
The broader plan to expand renewable energy generation, announced in 2014, has gained momentum in recent months as the government looks to revive its ailing economy and alleviate tensions among island residents exhausted by months of rolling blackouts.
The goal by 2030 is to generate 24% of total electricity production using renewable sources, up from around 4% currently. That goal includes building 92 solar parks, the government has said, in addition to battery storage facilities, hydro- and wind-generation projects.
“That goal will be achieved before 2030 and the percentage (of renewable generation) may be a little higher,” said Rosell Guerra Campaña, Cuba’s director of renewable energy.
China and Russia have moved to help Cuba out of an energy crisis that has reached a tipping point after the country’s electric grid collapsed four times since October.
Russia has previously committed to helping Cuba modernize three of its oil-fired power plants, along with building a 200-MW plant to bolster the grid.
Cuba and China struck a deal last year in which Beijing agreed to help the island’s Communist-run government boost solar production. Neither country has elaborated on financing details.
China recently said it was donating materials and expertise to build 22 more solar parks across Cuba capable of generating 120 MW, starting this year.
Cuba blames its energy crisis on a Cold War-era U.S. trade embargo and fresh restrictions from U.S. President Donald Trump, who tightened sanctions on the nation and vowed to restore a “tough” policy toward the longtime U.S. foe.
Solar dominates project queues through 2028, said data from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC).
Solar now represents 10.53% of total available installed generating capacity in the United States, according to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC).
Solar capacity is approaching that of its renewable energy counterpart in wind, which is now 11.77% of available capacity, and is expected to surpass it in the coming years. Hydrocarbon based power remains dominant on U.S. grids, with nearly 43% of capacity attributed to natural gas and 15% to coal. Hydropower contributes 7.6% of U.S. capacity, said FERC.
Despite natural gas dominance in existing power, solar energy leads the way for the present and future of installations. In January 2025, 2,950 MW was installed, compared to 60 MW of natural gas.
Looking ahead FERC tracks 89 GW of high-probability capacity additions from solar through January 2028, compared with 16 GW for natural gas. What’s more, FERC expects nearly 16 GW of natural gas retirements over the same period. Notably, nearly 25 GW of coal is also expected to be retired through January 2028, highlighting the shift toward emissions-free sources of power.
Vaz rubbishes Opposition’s criticisms of Government’s energy policy
MINISTER with responsibility for energy Daryl Vaz has defended the Administration’s handling of the energy sector in the wake of claims by the Opposition People’s National Party (PNP) that the Government is to be blamed for the high electricity prices Jamaicans now face.
Making his presentation to the 2025/26 Budget Debate last week, Opposition spokesman on finance Julian Robinson slammed the Government over its energy policy as he pointed out that the cost of electricity in Jamaica is more than US$0.40 per kilowatt hour (kWh), while it was as low as US$0.22/kWh during the last PNP Administration.
That theme was continued by Opposition Leader Mark Golding during his presentation to the budget debate on Tuesday as he charged that the Andrew Holness Administration had dropped the ball as it failed to issue regular request for proposals (RFPs) for additional renewable energy for years which could have resulted in lower electricity prices for Jamaicans.
But during a mid-morning media briefing on Tuesday Vaz scoffed at the PNP’s claim that the high cost of electricity was due to Government’s inability to develop a sustainable renewable energy framework.
Vaz listed a multiplicity of factors he said caused the delay, rejected the narrative that little progress has been made in the renewable energy sector, and described the Opposition’s claims as “disingenuous and misleading”.
According to Vaz, measurable achievements and strategic investments in renewables underscore the Government’s commitment to achieving an evidence-based, sustainable, and affordable resilient energy future for Jamaica.
“Data clearly refutes claims of inaction and demonstrates a consistent, structured approach to energy diversification and transformation. The increase in electricity prices between 2016 and 2024 was not due to a lack of renewable energy deployment but rather global scenarios linked to fossil fuel volatility, inflation, supply chain disruptions and geopolitical issues.
“The Government’s renewable energy expansion remains on track, ensuring long-term energy affordability and security for Jamaica. More renewables are coming but at the right time and in the right way as we continue to lower the cost for all our citizens. Together we are building a cleaner and more secure energy future for Jamaica,” Vaz said.
He argued that detractors are spreading propaganda because the island is now in the “silly season” with a general election near.
“This is something that is ongoing and it is not specific to my ministry or to energy but there is just a lot of misconceptions, misleading, and disingenuous information. What I can say specifically is that I encourage all well-thinking Jamaicans to get the facts and most importantly judge the policies and performance of those who are putting themselves forward in the upcoming election,” Vaz said.
“We are not perfect, but definitively we have a lot of runs on the board and our job will be to make sure and put those out in the public domain so people can examine and make informed decisions,” added Vaz.
The energy minister said significant progress has been made in expanding the energy portfolio, guided by a robust policy framework and strategic investments.
He said several factors, including surging fossil fuel prices, the Russia-Ukraine war, and global supply chain disruptions have contributed to the high price for electricity.
Vaz argued that while renewable energy technology costs have declined over time, the transition from fossil fuels must be a planned, orderly and well-timed process.
Kevin Wen is one of a growing number of Australians with rooftop solar who have decided the economics of installing a battery storage system finally stack up.
In 2022, Mr Wen was getting about 15 cents per kilowatt-hour for exporting his excess energy back into the grid.
“Then they lowered the buyback price to 8 cents, and then 5 cents, and then 3 cents now,” Mr Wen tells ABC News.
“I just think it’s a scam, so now I would like to use my energy for myself.”
Kevin Wen has installed a battery at his Sydney home after falling solar feed-in tariffs. (ABC News: John Gunn)
He’s far from alone. About 75,000 battery storage systems were installed across Australia last year — up 47 per cent from 2023.
That brings the total of home battery storage systems across the country to more than 320,000, according to solar energy consultancy SunWiz.
Chris Williams, CEO of Natural Solar, a company that now installs about 100 batteries a week, says the reduction in solar feed-in tariffs has been a tipping point for many of his customers.
“Solar feed-in tariffs, effectively, are a rate that the household will receive when power is sent back to the grid during the day from your solar panels,” Mr Williams says.
“Now, that rate, historically, may have been 15 cents or 20 cents per kilowatt-hour fed back to the grid.
“What we’re seeing today, that might be as low as, you know, 2 or 3 cents in New South Wales, in Victoria, it might be as low as, you know, less than 1 cent.”
Solar tariffs have also been as high as 60 cents per kilowatt-hour in Victoria, while New South Wales also offered generous incentives for the solar power people used themselves.
In certain circumstances, Mr Williams says, nowadays households will actually be charged for sending power back to the grid.
“Instead of making money, they’ll actually have to pay a fee to send that power back.”
Mr Williams’s business has received 250 per cent more battery enquiries since the regulated price increases were announced just last week.
“Consumers and households are very sensitive at this point in time, particularly on the back of the cost-of-living crisis we’re in, when they see that their power price is going to go up.”
Solar installs dwarf battery take-up
Households can save about $1,500 a year on power bills with rooftop solar, and another $1,000 with battery storage, according to the Smart Energy Council.
More than 4 million Australian households and businesses have rooftop solar but, despite the additional savings, only about one in 12 have battery storage.
The high purchase price of batteries has been a barrier for many.
“Batteries are, on average, around about $10,000 per system.
“We have seen prices come down year-on-year by between 5 and 10 per cent and we do expect that trend to continue,” Mr Williams says.
“The average battery should have a return on investment between six to eight years before subsidies — including subsidies, that may be as little as five to seven years for the average household.”
Solar energy consultancy SunWiz has crunched the numbers on how long it takes to make your money back on a combined solar and battery system.
The “payback time” now sits at about 8.3 years, which includes a mix of subsidised and non-subsidised systems.
Battery subsidies are currently only available through the New South Wales and the Northern Territory governments.
Other jurisdictions — like Victoria, Tasmania and the ACT — offer interest-free loans for batteries.
As the federal budget and election loom, there are calls for a national government subsidy, similar to the existing scheme for rooftop solar, to further reduce the cost of batteries.
“Solar energy, of course, doesn’t work at night-time, so what we want is a battery booster scheme that helps people take the energy from the middle of the day and use it in the evening when they’re home from work and school,” Smart Energy Council CEO John Grimes tells ABC News.
The Smart Energy Council, a peak body for the renewable energy industry, is calling for a national subsidy of $350 per kilowatt-hour (kWh).
In layman’s terms, that would reduce the cost of a small 5kWh battery to about $3,000, or $7,000 for a larger 10kWh battery.
Mr Grimes says battery storage systems would allow households to avoid higher prices when cheaper solar energy is unavailable.
“What solar batteries do is, they time-shift energy from the middle of the day, when it’s super-cheap, to make that super-cheap energy available at night-time, when prices spike,” Mr Grimes says.
Modelling by the Smart Energy Council shows that if Australia reaches 1 million solar batteries by 2030, households will save more than $19 billion.
“There’s a saving not just for the householder, but for the whole community. That’s because we’re taking pressure off when electricity prices are high.
“The more solar batteries we can install, the more money we save, the more we save individuals and the more we help the environment.”
Other renewable energy industry groups, including the Clean Energy Council, are calling for a national rebate for batteries of up to $6,500.
Former RBA deputy backs battery subsidy calls
Last year, the centrepiece of the federal budget was the $3.5 billion in energy bill relief for households, which amounted to a $300 rebate for households and $325 for small businesses.
Those rebates not only reduced household power bills but worked to bring down inflation.
Former RBA deputy governor Guy Debelle argues there is a better way to shield households from energy price inflation, which is subject to global shocks such as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
The former central banker, who also spent a period at Fortescue Future Industries, says instead of bill rebates, money should be spent on subsidies for batteries and increased incentives for bringing down the cost of solar.
“The relief to household budgets is only temporary, while they’re receiving those cash payments.
“You could repurpose that money to provide them with the opportunity to get rooftop solar and batteries to provide much more long-lasting insulation from energy prices.”
Mr Debelle says those incentives should also target low-income households, strata buildings and landlords.
“Sun isn’t subject to geopolitics, so it’s not going to be affected by Russia invading Ukraine,” he says.
Kevin Wen is glad he’ll be less reliant on the grid and therefore less exposed to price spikes.
Mr Wen was able to get $2,000 off the cost of his home battery storage system under the NSW government scheme, but says higher subsidies would encourage more people to take up solar and batteries.
“If they want to promote green energy, it is really good to increase the subsidies right now … If they can increase it, that will be great for everyone.”
Energy experts spoken to for this story say increased subsidies, not loans, will be the best way to increase the uptake of solar batteries.
A spokesperson for the federal minister for climate change and energy Chris Bowen said in a statement:
“The government is always looking for ways to ease household budget pressure.
“Through our Household Energy Upgrades Fund, we’re providing $1 billion to help Australian home owners lower their energy bills through discounted green loans for energy upgrades, such as solar panels and batteries.”
Natural gas remains by far the largest source of electricity in the country, according to research from clean-energy think tank Ember
Wind and solar energy generated more electricity in the U.S. than coal for the first time last year, according to analysis from clean-energy think tank Ember. The two renewable energy sources accounted for 17% of the country’s power mix while coal fell to a low of 15%, it said.
Solar was the fastest-growing energy source, according to Ember’s analysis of data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration, increasing 27% from the year before, while wind rose 7%.
“We’re in a new paradigm,” said Dave Jones, chief analyst at Ember. “Solar did more to meet the rising demand for electricity last year than natural gas. And that’s at odds with the current narrative and expectations going forward, where so much of the discussion has switched towards building more gas plants.”
Ember used terawatt hours of electricity supply data from the EIA to reach its conclusions, including generation from distributed and small-scale solar installations such as those installed on rooftops and commercial and industrial systems.
Natural gas generation increased 3.3% in 2024, according to Ember, and remains by far the largest source of electricity in the U.S., accounting for 43% of the mix.
The analysis comes as the Trump administration is preparing for an upsurge in natural gas production and exports. Energy Secretary Chris Wright told an energy conference in Houston this week that he is pushing for new gas pipelines in places like Alaska and New England, and approving permits to ship natural gas overseas.
“Drill, baby, drill also requires build, baby, build,” he said.
Overall, the U.S. installed 50 gigawatts of new solar capacity in 2024, according to a report this week from the Solar Energy Industries Association, a nonprofit trade group, and consulting firm Wood Mackenzie. This marked a record in new power generation added to the grid in any energy technology in more than two decades.
Solar and storage account for 84% of all new electricity-generating capacity added to the grid last year, the SEIA report said.
Wind and solar have overtaken coal in 24 states, according to Ember, with Illinois the latest to join the ranks in 2024, following Arizona, Colorado, Florida and Maryland in 2023.
California and Nevada both surpassed 30% annual share of solar in their electricity mix for the first time last year (32% and 30%, respectively). California’s battery growth was key to its solar success. It installed 20% more battery capacity than it did solar capacity, which helped it transfer a significant share of its daytime solar to the evening.
Texas installed more solar and battery capacity than even California. Yet the growth of solar was uneven—28 states generated less than 5% of their electricity from solar in 2024, highlighting significant untapped potential—even before adding battery storage.
“It shows that renewables can meet that rise in electricity demand, that solar is able and wind is if it is given the chance,” Jones said. “The fall in battery costs is a gamechanger for how much solar the U.S. electricity grid could integrate in the near future.”
Looking ahead, the global offshore wind industry is poised for a rebound in 2025, with capacity additions expected to reach 19 gigawatts and sector-wide expenditure projected to hit $80 billion, according to research from Rystad Energy. This recovery follows a slowdown at the end of last year, when new installations dropped to approximately 8 GW—2 GW lower than the prior year. A record wave of lease auctions is driving the resurgence, with the world’s largest offshore wind market, mainland China, accounting for 65% of new capacity, Rystad said.
BEIJING, Feb 27 (Reuters) – China’s rapid solar expansion is expected to slow this year for the first time since 2019, as the industry’s growth moderates, according to an industry association forecast on Thursday.
New solar capacity added in 2025 is expected to range from 215 gigawatts (GW) in a conservative scenario to 255 GW in a more optimistic outlook, said Wang Bohua, honorary chairman of the China Photovoltaic Industry Association.
That would be an 8% to 23% drop from record 277.57 GW installations seen last year.
Wang attributed the expected slowdown to 2024’s high base and the introduction of a new power pricing mechanism in June, which will require new renewable plants to sell power on a market basis. This shift is expected to “complicate” future revenue forecasts and increase uncertainty for investors.
Local governments still need to clarify how they plan to implement the new policy – meaning there will be a wait-and-see period, he said.
Still, rising power consumption driven by electric vehicles, data centers, 5G networks and other emerging industries would continue to support demand for solar, according to Wang.
