GITNUXREPORT 2025

Sustainability In The Renewable Energy Industry Statistics

Renewable energy grows rapidly, creating jobs and reducing global emissions significantly.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

Our Commitment to Accuracy

Rigorous fact-checking • Reputable sources • Regular updatesLearn more

Statistic 1

The cost of solar PV modules has decreased by over 85% since 2010, making solar one of the most affordable energy sources

Statistic 2

The energy payback time for solar installations globally averages around 1-2 years, depending on technology and location

Statistic 3

Solar photovoltaic efficiency levels have increased by approximately 1% annually since 2010, now reaching efficiencies up to 23-24%

Statistic 4

Many renewable technologies are now reaching parity with fossil fuels, with some regions observing break-even points as early as 2018

Statistic 5

The efficiency of large-scale solar farms has improved by approximately 15% over the last decade due to technological advancements

Statistic 6

The global renewable energy sector's green manufacturing practices have reduced carbon emissions associated with production by an estimated 25%, relative to conventional manufacturing

Statistic 7

The adoption of energy-efficient technologies in renewable energy projects can reduce overall lifecycle emissions by up to 40%, enhancing sustainability

Statistic 8

The EU aims to reach at least 45% renewable energy in its total energy consumption by 2030

Statistic 9

Countries with high renewable energy deployment tend to have lower emissions per capita, such as in Scandinavia where emissions are below 5 tCO2 per capita

Statistic 10

International alliances like RE100 have committed over 400 companies worldwide to reach 100% renewable energy goals by 2030

Statistic 11

The European Green Deal aims for at least 55% renewable energy in the EU's energy mix by 2030

Statistic 12

Renewable energy investments totaled $366 billion worldwide in 2022, marking a 4% increase from the previous year

Statistic 13

The global renewable energy storage market is projected to reach $25 billion by 2030, up from $4 billion in 2022

Statistic 14

Asia-Pacific accounted for nearly 70% of global renewable energy investments in 2022

Statistic 15

The use of green hydrogen produced via electrolysis powered by renewable energy is projected to grow at a CAGR of 35% between 2023 and 2030

Statistic 16

Investment in renewable energy infrastructure in developing countries increased by 23% in 2022, totaling over $64 billion

Statistic 17

Renewable energy attracted over 70% of all new power project investments globally in 2022

Statistic 18

Battery storage systems are expected to have a global capacity of 2,850 GWh by 2030, a significant rise from 75 GWh in 2022

Statistic 19

The adoption of renewable energy sources is reducing reliance on fossil fuels, which in 2022 accounted for approximately 80% of the world's energy consumption

Statistic 20

Green bonds issued for renewable energy projects surpassed $60 billion in 2022, indicating strong investor confidence

Statistic 21

The total investment needed to achieve a 100% renewable energy grid by 2050 is estimated at over $15 trillion globally, with a majority going into infrastructure development

Statistic 22

The reduction in global greenhouse gas emissions attributable to renewable energy adoption is estimated at 4.7 gigatonnes per year, contributing significantly to climate goals

Statistic 23

The renewable energy sector employed over 12 million people worldwide in 2022

Statistic 24

Solar photovoltaic (PV) capacity grew by 43% in 2022, reaching a record 246 GW globally

Statistic 25

Wind energy accounted for 13% of global electricity generation in 2022

Statistic 26

By 2030, renewable energy is projected to account for over 60% of global electricity generation capacity

Statistic 27

Hydropower remains the largest source of renewable electricity, contributing about 16% of total global electricity generation in 2022

Statistic 28

The global installed capacity of wind turbines reached 837 GW in 2022, a 12% increase from 2021

Statistic 29

Solar PV accounted for 59% of all new renewable capacity added globally in 2022

Statistic 30

The share of renewables in the global energy mix increased from 18.2% in 2010 to 29% in 2022

Statistic 31

China leads the world with over 350 GW of installed solar capacity as of 2022

Statistic 32

In 2022, global bioenergy capacity increased by 3.8 GW, reaching a total of 168 GW

Statistic 33

Nearly 80% of new renewable energy projects installed in 2022 involved solar or wind technologies

Statistic 34

The largest offshore wind farm as of 2023 is the Dogger Bank Wind Farm in the UK, with a capacity of 3.6 GW

Statistic 35

The global capacity for geothermal energy stood at approximately 15 GW in 2022, a slight increase from previous years

Statistic 36

Solar parks occupy an average of 2.86 hectares per MW of capacity installed globally

Statistic 37

Wind and solar accounted for approximately 82% of new power generation capacity added worldwide in 2022

Statistic 38

The global supply chain disruptions in 2021-2022 caused delays in renewable energy projects but also pushed for diversification of supply sources

Statistic 39

The global market share of renewable energy in new power generation capacity was approximately 84% in 2022

Statistic 40

Global renewable energy capacity is expected to reach 4,500 GW by 2030, up from 2,400 GW in 2022

Statistic 41

Solar and wind energy combined are projected to meet more than 50% of global electricity demand by 2035

Statistic 42

The global cumulative installed capacity of bioenergy was approximately 168 GW in 2022, representing a 2.3% increase over 2021

Statistic 43

The use of offshore wind farms can reduce carbon emissions by millions of tonnes annually; for example, the Horns Rev 3 project in Denmark reduces approximately 600,000 metric tons of CO2 per year

Statistic 44

The global average capacity factor for solar PV systems is approximately 20-25%, depending on location and technology

Statistic 45

The primary barrier to further renewable energy deployment remains grid integration and storage solutions, with over 60% of projects facing delays due to these issues

Statistic 46

The global lithium-ion battery market for renewable energy storage is projected to grow at a CAGR of 20% between 2023 and 2030, reaching over 1,200 GWh annually

Statistic 47

The renewable energy share in electricity generation in the US reached 20.8% in 2022, a record high

Statistic 48

Several countries, including Portugal and Costa Rica, generate over 98% of their electricity from renewable sources, showcasing high sustainability levels

Statistic 49

The number of corporate renewable energy power purchase agreements (PPAs) globally increased by 25% in 2022, reaching over 15 GW of contracted capacity

Statistic 50

The global renewable energy installed capacity is expected to double from 2022 levels by 2030, reaching approximately 4,500 GW, contributing significantly to decarbonization efforts

Statistic 51

The global percentage of energy generated from biomass and waste reached 11% in 2022, contributing to diversified renewable energy sources

Statistic 52

The levelized cost of solar PV has decreased by approximately 82% since 2010

Statistic 53

The cost of offshore wind has fallen by approximately 29% since 2019, making it more competitive with other energy sources

Statistic 54

The levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) for utility-scale solar in many regions dropped below $20/MWh in 2023

Statistic 55

The levelized cost of onshore wind energy fell to as low as $25/MWh in some regions by 2023, increasing competitiveness

Slide 1 of 55

Sources

Our Reports have been cited by:

Trust Badges - Publications that have cited our reports

Key Highlights

The renewable energy sector employed over 12 million people worldwide in 2022
Solar photovoltaic (PV) capacity grew by 43% in 2022, reaching a record 246 GW globally
Wind energy accounted for 13% of global electricity generation in 2022
The levelized cost of solar PV has decreased by approximately 82% since 2010
Renewable energy investments totaled $366 billion worldwide in 2022, marking a 4% increase from the previous year
By 2030, renewable energy is projected to account for over 60% of global electricity generation capacity
Hydropower remains the largest source of renewable electricity, contributing about 16% of total global electricity generation in 2022
The global installed capacity of wind turbines reached 837 GW in 2022, a 12% increase from 2021
Solar PV accounted for 59% of all new renewable capacity added globally in 2022
The cost of offshore wind has fallen by approximately 29% since 2019, making it more competitive with other energy sources
The share of renewables in the global energy mix increased from 18.2% in 2010 to 29% in 2022
The EU aims to reach at least 45% renewable energy in its total energy consumption by 2030
China leads the world with over 350 GW of installed solar capacity as of 2022

The renewable energy industry is experiencing unprecedented growth and innovation, with investments soaring, costs plummeting, and capacity expectations reaching over 4,500 GW by 2030, transforming the global energy landscape toward a more sustainable future.

Costs and Efficiency Trends

The cost of solar PV modules has decreased by over 85% since 2010, making solar one of the most affordable energy sources
The energy payback time for solar installations globally averages around 1-2 years, depending on technology and location
Solar photovoltaic efficiency levels have increased by approximately 1% annually since 2010, now reaching efficiencies up to 23-24%
Many renewable technologies are now reaching parity with fossil fuels, with some regions observing break-even points as early as 2018
The efficiency of large-scale solar farms has improved by approximately 15% over the last decade due to technological advancements
The global renewable energy sector's green manufacturing practices have reduced carbon emissions associated with production by an estimated 25%, relative to conventional manufacturing
The adoption of energy-efficient technologies in renewable energy projects can reduce overall lifecycle emissions by up to 40%, enhancing sustainability

Costs and Efficiency Trends Interpretation

With solar modules now over 85% cheaper and efficient enough to break even with fossil fuels in some regions since 2018, the renewable energy industry is not just shining brighter but also proving that sustainability can be both economically and environmentally smart.

Government Policies and Strategic Goals

The EU aims to reach at least 45% renewable energy in its total energy consumption by 2030
Countries with high renewable energy deployment tend to have lower emissions per capita, such as in Scandinavia where emissions are below 5 tCO2 per capita
International alliances like RE100 have committed over 400 companies worldwide to reach 100% renewable energy goals by 2030
The European Green Deal aims for at least 55% renewable energy in the EU's energy mix by 2030

Government Policies and Strategic Goals Interpretation

As the EU and global corporations race towards 100% renewable targets amidst Scandinavian low emissions, the pressing challenge remains: transforming ambitious commitments into tangible reductions before the 2030 clock runs out.

Market Investment and Financing

Renewable energy investments totaled $366 billion worldwide in 2022, marking a 4% increase from the previous year
The global renewable energy storage market is projected to reach $25 billion by 2030, up from $4 billion in 2022
Asia-Pacific accounted for nearly 70% of global renewable energy investments in 2022
The use of green hydrogen produced via electrolysis powered by renewable energy is projected to grow at a CAGR of 35% between 2023 and 2030
Investment in renewable energy infrastructure in developing countries increased by 23% in 2022, totaling over $64 billion
Renewable energy attracted over 70% of all new power project investments globally in 2022
Battery storage systems are expected to have a global capacity of 2,850 GWh by 2030, a significant rise from 75 GWh in 2022
The adoption of renewable energy sources is reducing reliance on fossil fuels, which in 2022 accounted for approximately 80% of the world's energy consumption
Green bonds issued for renewable energy projects surpassed $60 billion in 2022, indicating strong investor confidence
The total investment needed to achieve a 100% renewable energy grid by 2050 is estimated at over $15 trillion globally, with a majority going into infrastructure development
The reduction in global greenhouse gas emissions attributable to renewable energy adoption is estimated at 4.7 gigatonnes per year, contributing significantly to climate goals

Market Investment and Financing Interpretation

Despite a notable 4% rise in renewable energy investments to $366 billion in 2022, the escalating global push—led predominantly by Asia-Pacific and developing nations—underscores that transitioning to a 100% renewable grid by 2050 will require a staggering $15 trillion, but with green bonds exceeding $60 billion and storage capacity set to surge 38-fold by 2030, optimism persists that a fossil-fuel-free future is not just a dream but an accelerating reality.

Renewable Energy Capacity and Infrastructure

The renewable energy sector employed over 12 million people worldwide in 2022
Solar photovoltaic (PV) capacity grew by 43% in 2022, reaching a record 246 GW globally
Wind energy accounted for 13% of global electricity generation in 2022
By 2030, renewable energy is projected to account for over 60% of global electricity generation capacity
Hydropower remains the largest source of renewable electricity, contributing about 16% of total global electricity generation in 2022
The global installed capacity of wind turbines reached 837 GW in 2022, a 12% increase from 2021
Solar PV accounted for 59% of all new renewable capacity added globally in 2022
The share of renewables in the global energy mix increased from 18.2% in 2010 to 29% in 2022
China leads the world with over 350 GW of installed solar capacity as of 2022
In 2022, global bioenergy capacity increased by 3.8 GW, reaching a total of 168 GW
Nearly 80% of new renewable energy projects installed in 2022 involved solar or wind technologies
The largest offshore wind farm as of 2023 is the Dogger Bank Wind Farm in the UK, with a capacity of 3.6 GW
The global capacity for geothermal energy stood at approximately 15 GW in 2022, a slight increase from previous years
Solar parks occupy an average of 2.86 hectares per MW of capacity installed globally
Wind and solar accounted for approximately 82% of new power generation capacity added worldwide in 2022
The global supply chain disruptions in 2021-2022 caused delays in renewable energy projects but also pushed for diversification of supply sources
The global market share of renewable energy in new power generation capacity was approximately 84% in 2022
Global renewable energy capacity is expected to reach 4,500 GW by 2030, up from 2,400 GW in 2022
Solar and wind energy combined are projected to meet more than 50% of global electricity demand by 2035
The global cumulative installed capacity of bioenergy was approximately 168 GW in 2022, representing a 2.3% increase over 2021
The use of offshore wind farms can reduce carbon emissions by millions of tonnes annually; for example, the Horns Rev 3 project in Denmark reduces approximately 600,000 metric tons of CO2 per year
The global average capacity factor for solar PV systems is approximately 20-25%, depending on location and technology
The primary barrier to further renewable energy deployment remains grid integration and storage solutions, with over 60% of projects facing delays due to these issues
The global lithium-ion battery market for renewable energy storage is projected to grow at a CAGR of 20% between 2023 and 2030, reaching over 1,200 GWh annually
The renewable energy share in electricity generation in the US reached 20.8% in 2022, a record high
Several countries, including Portugal and Costa Rica, generate over 98% of their electricity from renewable sources, showcasing high sustainability levels
The number of corporate renewable energy power purchase agreements (PPAs) globally increased by 25% in 2022, reaching over 15 GW of contracted capacity
The global renewable energy installed capacity is expected to double from 2022 levels by 2030, reaching approximately 4,500 GW, contributing significantly to decarbonization efforts
The global percentage of energy generated from biomass and waste reached 11% in 2022, contributing to diversified renewable energy sources

Renewable Energy Capacity and Infrastructure Interpretation

With over 12 million jobs and a renewable capacity set to more than double by 2030, the renewable energy industry isn't just powering the planet—it's also fueling a global economic transformation, though it still faces hurdles like grid integration that are as stubborn as fossil fuels once were.

costs and Efficiency Trends

The levelized cost of solar PV has decreased by approximately 82% since 2010
The cost of offshore wind has fallen by approximately 29% since 2019, making it more competitive with other energy sources
The levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) for utility-scale solar in many regions dropped below $20/MWh in 2023
The levelized cost of onshore wind energy fell to as low as $25/MWh in some regions by 2023, increasing competitiveness

costs and Efficiency Trends Interpretation

As renewable energy costs plummet—solar’s levelized cost dropping over 80% since 2010 and offshore wind’s decreasing by nearly 30% since 2019—clean power is inching closer to being the cheapest, most sustainable choice, shifting the energy landscape from aspiration to affordability.