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Top 10 Biggest Renewable Energy Companies

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Top 10 Biggest Renewable Energy Companies

Source: Sustainability Magazine

The world's top renewable energy companies are critical to global decarbonisation efforts. They range from specialised manufacturers to full value chain operations that are subsidiaries of the world's largest energy producers.

25 September 2024 – by Eric Koons   Comments (0)

The world’s top renewable energy companies are crucial in driving the global energy transition.

The International Energy Agency’s (IEA) net-zero 2050 pathway targets almost 90% of global electricity from renewable energy sources by 2050, up from around 33% today. This growth requires a combined effort from the public and private sectors. These top renewable energy companies are key players in both the innovation and development necessary to reach these goals.

Top 10 Renewable Energy Companies in the World

Following are the Top 10 largest renewable energy companies in the world:

1. NextEra Energy: The US Giant Powering Clean Energy

NextEra Energy is a giant in the renewable energy industry and holds the title of the world’s largest wind and solar energy generators. Based in the United States, NextEra plays a critical role in reducing the nation’s dependence on fossil fuels and has a solar and wind capacity of 33 gigawatts (GW).

The company’s goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2045 signals its long-term commitment to sustainability and renewable energy generation. Furthermore, the company is investing significantly in battery storage solutions, which will enhance its energy reliability. With its pioneering role in integrating clean energy into the US grid, NextEra is one of the primary drivers of the country’s renewable energy transition.

2. Iberdrola: Spain’s Renewable Energy Powerhouse

Spain-based Iberdrola has established itself as a leading renewable energy company in the renewable energy sector, with a strong emphasis on offshore wind energy. Its influence extends beyond Europe, with operations in North America, South America and Asia. A standout project is the East Anglia ONE wind farm in the UK, which has a 714 megawatt (MW) capacity, making it one of the largest offshore wind projects globally.

Iberdrola
Source: Longitude

What sets Iberdrola apart is its holistic approach to energy infrastructure. In addition to renewable generation, the company focuses heavily on modernising power grids and energy storage. This long-term vision aligns with global decarbonisation goals and positions Iberdrola as a significant player in the global energy transition.

3. Vestas Wind Systems: Leading the Wind Energy Revolution

Denmark-based Vestas Wind Systems is one of the world’s largest wind turbine manufacturing and servicing companies. Vestas wind turbines account for more than 181 GW of energy capacity, accounting for over 15% of the world’s installed capacity.

Vestas is also heavily involved in research and development, continuously pushing the boundaries of what wind technology can achieve. With a presence in 88 countries, Vestas has played a pivotal role in expanding wind energy adoption worldwide and integrating sustainable energy solutions. One of the company’s recent achievements is the installation of wind farms in previously untapped markets such as South America and Africa, where wind energy is becoming an increasingly attractive solution to meet growing energy demands.

4. Brookfield Renewable Partners: Diversified Renewable Solutions

Brookfield Renewable Partners is a global leader in renewable energy, with a diversified portfolio that includes hydropower, wind, solar and energy storage assets. The company operates 21 GW of installed renewable capacity across North America, South America, Europe and Asia, with hydropower making up the largest share at 8.1 GW.

Brookfield has been expanding aggressively into solar and wind, with 37.9 GW and 9.9 GW, respectively, under development. The company is also investing in energy storage technologies with its 666 MW pumped hydro storage facility and two 20 MW battery storage facilities.

5. JinkoSolar: Supplying Solar

Solar power has seen an incredible rise in the last decade, and JinkoSolar is one of the companies that are supplying this revolution. Headquartered in China, JinkoSolar is one of the world’s largest producers of solar panels, with a manufacturing capacity exceeding 75 GW. Its panels are powering some of the largest solar projects globally, including India’s Khavda solar farm that will come online in the next few years.

Khavda solar farm is one of the largest solar projects in the world and is being built by some of the top renewable energy companies.
Khavda Solar Farm. Source: DeshGujarat

6. Canadian Solar: Solar and Battery Storage

Canadian Solar is one of the world’s largest solar power companies, specialising in solar photovoltaic modules manufacturing, solar power systems and energy storage solutions. With a presence in over 160 countries, Canadian Solar has delivered over 61 GW of solar modules and 20 GWh of battery storage capacity. The company is a leader in utility-scale solar projects, with notable installations like the Pirapora solar complex in Brazil, one of the largest in South America.

In addition to solar panels, Canadian Solar is heavily investing in energy storage, with a growing focus on residential storage systems – designed to optimise solar energy use and increase energy independence. The company’s integrated solar and storage solutions support the global transition toward renewable energy.

7. ReNew Power: India’s Green Energy Leader

ReNew Power is India’s largest renewable energy company with a diversified portfolio of wind, solar and hydropower. The company’s portfolio exceeds 13 GW, which includes a portion of the Bhadla Solar Park. The Bhadla Solar Park is the largest solar farm in India and is among the largest solar farms in the world, showcasing ReNew’s capabilities in large-scale installations.

India has set ambitious targets to generate 500 GW of renewable energy (50% of its electricity supply) by 2030, and ReNew Power is at the heart of this shift.

8. Ørsted: Offshore Wind Pioneer

Denmark-based Ørsted is one of the world’s largest offshore wind energy companies. Having transitioned from fossil fuels to renewable energy, Ørsted is a prime example of a successful green transformation. The company’s Hornsea 2 project, located off the British coast, is the largest offshore wind farm in the world, with a capacity of 1.3 GW.

Orsted's Hornsea 1 offshore wind project.
Source: Wind Edition

Ørsted’s bold target of becoming carbon neutral by 2025 sets it apart as a true leader in the energy transition. The company’s successful shift from fossil fuels to renewables is a prime example of how legacy energy firms can embrace sustainability.

9. Daqo New Energy Corp: A Key Player in the Solar Supply Chain

Daqo New Energy Corp may not be a household name, but it plays a critical role in the global solar supply chain. The China-based company is one of the world’s leading producers of high-purity polysilicon, a key material used in manufacturing solar panels. The company has a production capacity of over 205,000 metric tonnes of polysilicon annually and supplies some of the world’s largest solar panel manufacturers.

10. Enel Green Power: A Global Renewable Energy Force

Enel Green Power is a subsidiary of Italy’s Enel and is a global leader in renewable energy. It operates 1,300 power plants on five continents with more than 64 GW of installed capacity across wind, solar, hydro and geothermal projects.

The company is also advancing energy storage solutions, integrating batteries into renewable projects for better grid stability. Enel aims for carbon neutrality by 2040, continually expanding its global renewable energy footprint to drive the clean energy transition.

Leading the Global Renewable Energy Transition

These top renewable energy companies are not just participating in the transition to cleaner energy – they are driving it. From innovative solar technologies to expansive wind farms, each company is helping to reduce global carbon emissions and mitigate the impacts of climate change. As the world moves closer to critical milestones in the push for net-zero emissions, these industry leaders will continue to play a vital role in renewable energy deployment.

by Eric Koons

Eric is a passionate environmental advocate that believes renewable energy is a key piece in meeting the world’s growing energy demands. He received an environmental science degree from the University of California and has worked to promote environmentally and socially sustainable practices since. Eric’s expertise extends across the environmental field, yet he maintains a strong focus on renewable energy. His work has been featured by leading environmental organizations, such as World Resources Institute and Hitachi ABB Power Grids.

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