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Evidence with the context intact.

Selected primary sources, clear dates and practical interpretation. Reported data, forecasts and our analysis are kept distinct.

Reported data

Capacity is not generation

IRENA’s March 2026 highlights report 5,149 GW of renewable power capacity at end-2025, with 692 GW of additions and 15.5% annual growth. Stationary batteries are excluded from that global renewable capacity total. Pure pumped storage is separately treated.

Method & limits: The figures describe generating capability, not annual electricity production or hourly availability. Use one identified edition; later releases can revise totals.

IRENA / Renewable capacity highlights / 31 March 2026; map notes updated July 2026. Open original source →

Forecast

A forecast has assumptions

The IEA’s Renewables 2026 main case anticipates almost 800 GW of average annual renewable capacity additions over 2026–2031. It identifies grid integration, financing and permitting as constraints in advanced economies.

Method & limits: This is a scenario forecast, not a measured outcome. IEA solar PV capacity is reported in DC in the relevant charts; avoid combining it casually with AC or other datasets.

IEA / Renewables 2026 / 2026 edition; exact publication day not established. Open original source →

Our interpretation

Flexibility needs its own specification

A battery has a power rating in MW and an energy rating in MWh. Dividing usable energy by discharge power estimates a constant-output duration; it does not establish how often the battery can charge.

Method & limits: This is an educational planning relationship. The planner does not model hourly dispatch, degradation, network constraints or renewable charging sufficiency.

ENGIE / Battery storage overview / publication date not stated; accessed 12 November 2026. Open original source →

Research review: 12 November 2026. No live data feed. Company publications represent their own disclosures. Figures and links should be reviewed before commercial reliance. IRENA material: © IRENA 2026, attributed to the March 2026 highlights edition.