The combined global installed capacity of wind and solar power has reached 3,222 gigawatts, marking a significant milestone in the international transition to clean energy. This massive expansion now accounts for more than 70% of all new power capacity added to the world’s electricity systems over the last five years, according to the authors of the newly released report.
“Global Energy Monitor (GEM) data from the 2026 release of the Global Wind and Solar Power trackers show that the combined global installed capacity of wind and solar has reached 3,222 gigawatts alternating current (GWac).” Furthermore, “Wind and solar accounted for more than 70% of all new electricity capacity growth globally in the past five years, underscoring the central role of these power sources in system growth worldwide.”
Essentially, this means that the majority of new power plants built recently rely on natural elements like the wind and the sun instead of traditional fuels like coal or gas. Because these renewable sources produce electricity inconsistently depending on the time of day or weather, their rapid growth is driving a worldwide boom in battery systems that can store this energy for use whenever it is needed.
The report “Energy Storage Signals Shift to Renewable Grids” was published in March 2026 by the Global Energy Monitor. Prepared by lead author Ye Huang, the briefing analyzes the rapid global expansion of battery storage systems and their essential role in integrating variable wind and solar power into modern electricity grids.
