At nearly 180 gigawatts, the International Energy Agency (IEA) reports that net global power generation capacity additions for renewables in 2018 were the same as in 2017. Although this is still a 50% gain from 2012, it is an “unexpected flattening of growth trends that raises concerns about meeting long-term climate goals.” The renewable builds in 2018 were only ~60% of the net additions needed each year. As far as renewables go, the primary focus globally is wind and solar PV power. In 2018, wind was 8% of global capacity, with solar at 7%. IEA’s “Stated Policies,” however, models that by 2040 wind will reach 14% and solar 24%.
