Renewables surge globally as solar leads new power expansion

A new international energy analysis released in 2026 highlights a rapid acceleration in renewable electricity generation worldwide, with solar and wind driving a structural shift in global power systems. According to the latest assessment by the International Energy Agency, renewable energy is expected to account for the majority of new electricity generation capacity added this decade, marking one of the fastest transformations in modern energy history.
The report, titled Electricity 2026, finds that renewable electricity generation could increase by roughly 1,000 terawatt hours each year through the end of the decade. Solar photovoltaics alone are expected to contribute more than half of that growth, supported by declining technology costs, expanded manufacturing capacity and stronger national policies promoting clean energy deployment.
Globally, renewable sources already represent the dominant share of newly installed electricity capacity. In recent years, more than 90 per cent of new power generation capacity additions have come from renewables, primarily solar and wind. The trend reflects a broader shift in energy planning, as governments seek to strengthen energy security while reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
The IEA analysis indicates that by 2030, renewable power alongside nuclear energy could supply close to half of the world’s electricity generation. This transition is expected to reshape electricity markets and infrastructure, requiring significant investment in grid flexibility, energy storage and digital power management systems.
While the report focuses on global trends, the findings carry clear implications for countries pursuing economic diversification through clean energy development. In Oman, renewable energy is becoming an increasingly important component of long-term economic planning under Oman Vision 2040, which places sustainability and energy diversification at the centre of national development goals.
Over the past decade, the Sultanate of Oman has taken significant steps to expand renewable generation, particularly through large-scale solar projects developed in partnership with international energy companies. The Ibri Solar Power Plant, one of the largest solar photovoltaic projects in the region, marked a milestone in Oman’s transition towards cleaner electricity sources when it entered operation in 2021.
Renewable energy development is also accelerating in Oman’s industrial zones and future hydrogen hubs. The country’s favourable solar irradiation, vast land availability and established energy infrastructure have positioned it as a potential exporter of green hydrogen and renewable-based fuels. Projects under development in areas such as Al Duqm aim to combine renewable electricity with hydrogen production, supporting both domestic energy needs and international clean fuel markets.
Solar power in particular is expected to play a central role in Oman’s energy mix in the coming decades. The country’s high solar potential offers one of the lowest generation costs for photovoltaic electricity in the region, making it an attractive option for meeting rising electricity demand while reducing reliance on natural gas.
At the same time, the growth of renewable energy brings new technical challenges. Expanding renewable capacity requires upgrades to electricity transmission networks, improved grid balancing technologies and increased investment in energy storage systems. These developments are becoming a priority across global power systems as intermittent sources such as solar and wind represent a growing share of electricity supply.
The international report notes that while renewable deployment is accelerating, the pace must continue to increase to meet global climate targets. Governments and energy companies are therefore focusing on policies that can speed up project approvals, strengthen electricity grids and support the integration of new energy technologies.
For Oman, the expansion of renewable power represents not only an environmental objective but also an economic opportunity. By investing in solar energy, green hydrogen and emerging clean technologies, the country is positioning itself within a rapidly evolving global energy landscape where renewable electricity is expected to form the backbone of future energy systems.
As the energy transition gathers momentum worldwide, the latest analysis suggests that renewable power is no longer a niche technology but a central pillar of global electricity generation. For countries like Oman, the challenge now lies in translating this momentum into sustained investment, technological innovation and long-term energy resilience.