Paris (France) (AFP) – Renewable energies, led by solar, should experience strong growth in emerging and developing countries over the coming years to ensure their energy security undermined by the blockage of the Strait of Hormuz, says the International Energy Agency in a report on Friday.

Published on: 06/11/2026 - 06:25

“Previously, environmental concerns were the policy priority behind the development of renewable energy, whose falling costs have made it a competitive option in many markets,” said Fatih Birol, executive director of the IEA.

“Today, it is above all energy security that is driving their growth, while a growing number of countries seek to reduce their dependence on imported fuels,” he added.

Renewable energies "today represent a third of global electricity production; within five years, this share will be around half", he continued, estimating that a "new chapter" in the growth of these energies is opening, the deployment of which extends to "all corners of the planet".

In this report entitled "Renewables 2026", the agency also underlines that States are also seeking to reduce their exposure "to price volatility".

This translates into increased policy support for renewable energy in India, Southeast Asia, Africa and the Middle East as the world faces unprecedented disruptions to global energy markets since the outbreak of war in the Middle East in late February.

But the increase in capacities is also driven by consumers themselves, assures the IEA. “Faced with high fuel prices and sometimes unstable power supplies, households and small businesses around the world are increasingly turning to rooftop solar photovoltaic systems, which are more affordable and quick to install.”

India, second largest market in the world

According to the IEA, global renewable energy capacity is expected to increase by nearly 4,800 gigawatts (GW) over the period 2026-2031, an increase of almost 60% compared to capacity added over the previous six years.

Solar PV is expected to account for more than three-quarters of global renewable capacity growth by 2031, followed by onshore wind.

China will remain the main contributor to this growth, but its share is expected to increase from more than 60% in 2025 to an average of 53% over the period.

India stands out as the second largest global market in terms of growth, with total capacity expected to more than double by 2031.

In Southeast Asia, the Middle East, North Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa, capacity added is expected to almost triple compared to the previous six years.

The IEA predicts that the use of renewable energy in transport will increase by more than 60% by 2031 and will cover 6% of the sector's global energy demand by that time.

Electricity from renewable sources used by electric vehicles represents around 45% of this increase, ahead of biofuels, she indicates.

The IEA also highlights that the deployment of battery storage is accelerating in many countries to rapidly increase the flexibility of electricity systems.

Digital technologies, including artificial intelligence, can help shift demand towards periods when renewable energy supply is abundant, thereby enabling better exploitation of intermittent renewable generation sources.

© 2026 AFP

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