Iran war pushed renewables to the top of the policy agenda. New IEA forecast shows faster global buildout.

The war that began in late February closed the Strait of Hormuz and spiked oil and gas prices. Governments scrambled for domestic sources.

The International Energy Agency released its latest renewables report last week. It now projects almost 4,800 gigawatts of new capacity from 2026 to 2031. That is 57 percent more than the previous six years. Emerging economies outside China will match advanced economies for the first time.

South Korea, Egypt and others accelerated targets after the supply shock. Chinese solar exports to Africa and Southeast Asia jumped in the months after the fighting started.

https://www.iea.org/news/energy-security-concerns-spur-faster-renewables-growth-across-a-widening-constellation-of-countries

https://www.axios.com/2026/11/06/iran-war-renewables-iea-report