IEA warns of commodity cost threat to renewables
Rising prices could delay wind and solar projects and add $100bn to costs, agency warns
Surging commodity and transport prices could counteract cost reductions achieved in onshore wind and solar since 2015 if they persist through next year, according to the IEA. Onshore wind and solar costs could rise by 25-30pc, adding about $100bn to the overall investment needed to complete projects that are already contracted, the IEA’s analysis shows. This cost inflation could delay the installation of about 100GW of planned capacity. “Renewables were on the deflation side of the picture, improving their competitiveness. However, there is a new challenge coming up,” says Heymi Bahar, senior analyst for renewable energy markets and policy at the IEA. “The prices of key materials that are
Also in this section
9 January 2026
A shift in perspective is needed on the carbon challenge, the success of which will determine the speed and extent of emissions cuts and how industries adapt to the new environment
2 January 2026
This year may be a defining one for carbon capture, utilisation and storage in the US, despite the institutional uncertainty
23 December 2025
Legislative reform in Germany sets the stage for commercial carbon capture and transport at a national level, while the UK has already seen financial close on major CCS clusters
15 December 2025
Net zero is not the problem for the UK’s power system. The real issue is with an outdated market design in desperate need of modernisation






