A new report from Ember, a UK-based global energy think tank, provides a detailed look at global electricity generation in 2024.
The review highlights steady growth in renewable energy, especially solar, as a major part of the shift toward cleaner energy systems. It also discusses how rising electricity demand, driven by extreme weather and ongoing electrification, has affected the use of fossil fuels.
The report aims to show both the progress made and the challenges ahead for the global power sector.
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Overview of Global Electricity Trends
The Global Electricity Review 2025 analyzed data from 215 countries, covering more than 93 % of the world’s electricity use. Direct data from 88 countries helped build a clear picture of recent trends in electricity generation.
The report focused on how renewable sources like solar and wind grew during 2024. It looked at patterns across 13 major regions, including the European Union, the G7 countries, and large emerging economies such as China and India. The study connected growth in clean energy with rising demand and fossil fuel use, while also examining how extreme weather events, such as heatwaves, shaped energy needs.
By combining generation data, weather trends, and new capacity additions, the review provides a broad view of where global electricity is headed.
Growth in Renewable Energy
In 2024, renewable sources produced about 40.9 % of global electricity, the highest share since the 1940s. Much of this was due to continued improvements in solar power, which supplied around 6.9 % of electricity worldwide.
Lower costs and better efficiency have helped expand solar and wind power across many countries. Thanks to technological advances and government support, global solar capacity has roughly doubled every three years over the last ten years.
Record Growth in Renewables
The report showed record-breaking growth in renewable electricity generation, particularly solar power. In 2024, solar generation rose by 474 TWh (a 29 % increase), representing the fastest growth in six years. This rapid expansion was driven by technological improvements and lower costs, which made solar energy more accessible and affordable.
The authors also highlighted that renewable sources met approximately 73 % of the rise in electricity demand. Additionally, the share of fossil fuels in the global electricity mix dropped from 60.6 % in 2023 to 59.1 % in 2024. This marked the first time since the 1940s that fossil fuels accounted for less than 60 % of global electricity generation.
Heatwaves and Demand Patterns
The study also investigated how extreme weather, particularly heatwaves, affected electricity demand. In 2024, demand grew by 4.0 % due to increased cooling needs. This surge in demand led to a slight rise in fossil fuel use, which increased by 1.4 %.
However, the researchers indicated that, without weather-related demands, clean energy alone would have been enough to meet the full rise in demand. These outcomes highlighted the challenges of balancing renewable energy growth with the need for backup from fossil fuels, mainly in climate-affected regions. As Managing Director of Ember, Phil MacDonald noted, "The era of fossil growth is coming to an end, even in a world of fast-rising demand."
Looking Ahead
The report expects clean electricity to continue growing fast enough to meet demand. In 2024, technologies like electric vehicles, data centers, and heat pumps added about 0.7 % to electricity use. These are likely to drive more demand in the years ahead.
If demand continues to rise by about 4.1 % per year through 2030, the authors believe clean energy can keep pace. This would support both emissions reductions and energy security.
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Conclusion: A Path Towards Sustainable Energy
The Global Electricity Review 2025 highlights major progress in the shift toward clean energy. Solar power and other renewable sources reached record levels in 2024, marking a step forward in reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
While short-term rises in fossil fuel use may still occur due to weather-related needs, the long-term trend is clear: the clean energy transition is underway and picking up speed. With countries like China and India leading in deploying renewable energy generation systems, the global community must embrace this shift to ensure a sustainable, secure, and competitive energy future.
Overall, this report offers valuable insights for policymakers, industry leaders, and scientists working to navigate the path forward.
Journal Reference
Graham, E., et al. Global Electricity Review 2025. EMBER Website, 2025. https://ember-energy.org/latest-insights/global-electricity-review-2025/
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