- Nigeria’s renewable capacity increased by just 1MW from 3,025MW in 2023, failing to keep pace with the continent’s overall growth.
- Solar and wind energy accounted for 96.6% of new capacity, while solar photovoltaics added 451.9GW and hydropower reached 1,283GW.
While global renewable energy capacity saw a record surge in 2024, Nigeria’s progress remained stagnant at 3,026 megawatts (MW), putting it behind several African nations, including South Africa, Ethiopia, Angola, and Morocco. This is according to data from the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA).
Nigeria’s renewable capacity increased by just 1MW from 3,025MW in 2023, failing to keep pace with the continent’s overall growth. Africa’s total renewable capacity expanded to 66,898MW in 2024, up from 62,672MW the previous year. Leading the charge:
- South Africa: Over 11,000MW, up from 10,000MW in 2023
- Egypt: Surpassed 7,000MW
- Ethiopia: Exceeded 6,000MW
- Angola, Morocco, and Zambia: Each above 4,000MW, ahead of Nigeria
Worldwide, renewable capacity additions hit 585GW in 2024, accounting for 92.5% of total electricity expansion—a record 15.1% growth rate. However, this still falls short of the annual 16.6% growth needed to meet the 2030 target of tripling global capacity to 11.2 terawatts (TW).
- China dominated, contributing nearly 64% of global additions
- Asia led the expansion, while Central America and the Caribbean lagged with just 3.2% of new capacity
- G7 and G20 nations accounted for 14.3% and 90.3% of global growth, respectively
Francesco La Camera urged governments to use upcoming Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs 3.0) to set clearer renewable energy goals.
“The continuous growth of renewables proves their economic viability, but regional disparities remain a challenge. We must accelerate efforts before the 2030 deadline,” La Camera said.
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres echoed this, emphasising that renewable energy is “powering down the fossil fuel age.” He highlighted that the transition is creating jobs, cutting energy costs, and reducing pollution, but he stressed that the shift must be “faster and fairer” for all nations.
A breakdown of the global renewable energy capacity according to energy source includes:
- Solar and Wind Energy: Accounted for 96.6% of new capacity
- Solar Photovoltaics: 451.9GW added, with China alone contributing 278GW
- Hydropower: Reached 1,283GW, driven by China, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Nepal, Pakistan, Tanzania, and Vietnam
Despite abundant solar and hydro resources, Nigeria’s slow renewable energy growth raises concerns about its commitment to clean energy targets. With rising energy demands and global climate commitments, policy reforms, investment incentives, and stronger international collaboration will be crucial in reversing this trend.