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Global Electricity Review 2025: Key Insights & What They Mean for Our Energy Future
The recently released Global Electricity Review 2025 by Ember provides a crucial snapshot of our current energy landscape. It marks significant milestones while also highlighting the complex path ahead in the global Energy Transition. This article breaks down the key findings and explores their implications. To make these important insights more accessible, I’ve also created a video that walks through the core data. A New Milestone: Over 40% Low-Carbon Power Globally
For the first time since the 1940s, a significant threshold has been crossed in global electricity generation. According to the Global Electricity Review 2025, generation from all low-carbon power sources — which includes renewables and nuclear — surpassed 40% of global electricity in 2024. Specifically, these sources reached 40.9% of the global mix, a notable increase from 39.4% in 2023.
This is a landmark achievement, especially considering the global electricity system today is 50 times larger than it was in the 1940s. This shift underscores a clear momentum in the decarbonization of our power sector, even as overall energy needs continue to evolve. While various sources contribute to this figure, the growth has been particularly propelled by the rapid expansion of renewable technologies.
Solar Power: The Undisputed Engine of Growth
The report leaves no doubt: solar power has become the engine of the global energy transition. For the third consecutive year, solar was the largest source of new electricity generation globally, adding a remarkable 474 TWh in 2024. This represents a stunning 29% growth from the previous year, making it the fastest-growing source of electricity for the 20th year in a row.
The scale and speed of solar’s ascent are extraordinary. Solar generation has effectively doubled in the last three years, reaching 2,131 TWh in 2024 — a volume now sufficient to power all of India. This exponential growth is also reflected in capacity: after surpassing 1 Terawatt (TW) of global solar power capacity in 2022, it took only two more years to install the next 1 TW, reaching 2 TW in 2024. This highlights solar energy’s critical role in meeting rising electricity demand and displacing fossil fuels.
Rising Demand & New Drivers: A Complex Challenge
Despite the progress in clean energy generation, the global electricity demand itself is on an upward trajectory. In 2024, global electricity demand grew by a significant 4.0% (+1,172 TWh), crossing the 30,000 TWh threshold for the first time. This was the third-largest percentage growth in the last decade.
A notable factor in this demand increase was the impact of heatwaves, which amplified demand by an estimated 0.7% (+208 TWh) due to increased cooling needs. Beyond weather-related impacts, new structural drivers are also pushing demand higher. Technologies like electric vehicles (EVs), heat pumps, and particularly data centers (including those for AI and cryptocurrency mining) contributed a combined 0.7% (+195 TWh) to annual demand growth in 2024. This contribution from new technologies is more than twice what it was just five years ago, signaling a substantial shift in consumption patterns that the energy transition must accommodate.
The Shifting Fossil Fuel Landscape
The rise in overall electricity demand, particularly due to extreme weather, had a direct impact on fossil fuel generation in 2024. Global fossil fuel generation increased by 1.4% (+245 TWh), leading to a 1.6% rise in global power sector emissions, which reached a new record high.
However, the report offers crucial nuance: this increase was primarily a result of hotter temperatures compared to 2023. Had temperatures remained the same, fossil fuel generation would have seen only a minimal 0.2% increase, as the record surge in clean electricity generation (927 TWh in 2024) was sufficient to cover 96% of the non-temperature-related demand growth. Looking ahead, the report indicates that fossil fuel generation is set for a structural decline over the rest of the decade, as accelerated clean generation is expected to consistently outpace structural demand growth. The “era of fossil growth is coming to an end,” as stated by Ember’s Managing Director, Phil MacDonald.
The Road Ahead: Flexibility, Storage, and Global Collaboration
To effectively integrate the rapidly growing share of variable renewables like solar and wind, the development of flexibility solutions is paramount. Battery storage technology is emerging as a crucial enabler. Driven by falling costs (the average price of lithium-ion battery packs dropped by 20% in 2024), a record 69 GW of battery storage capacity was installed globally in 2024, nearly doubling the total installed capacity. This cost-competitiveness is even opening doors for concepts like 24-hour solar power projects.
The success of the global energy transition will also heavily depend on the trajectory of major economies. The report highlights that China and India are pivotal, as they are beginning to decouple their electricity demand growth from fossil fuel expansion by deploying clean generation at a world-leading scale. Their continued progress in this area can significantly tip the global balance towards a sustained decline in fossil fuel generation.
Conclusion: Navigating Progress and Complexity
The Global Electricity Review 2025 paints a picture of significant progress but also immense challenges. While the growth of renewables, particularly solar, offers substantial hope, managing rising demand and ensuring a truly global and equitable transition will require continued innovation, investment in flexibility like battery storage, and concerted international collaboration. The era of fossil fuel growth appears to be ending, but the speed and nature of the decline will depend on the choices made now.
What are your thoughts on these global energy developments? Which aspects do you find most critical or promising? Share your perspectives in the comments below.
For deeper, interactive exploration, use the SolarShift GPT - AI-powered Cleantech Insights:
https://chatgpt.com/g/g-681ef70b99188191a492878edde49e60-solarshift-gpt-ai-powered-cleantech-insights
Or read the Full Report:
https://ember-energy.org/latest-insights/global-electricity-review-2025/
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit michaellorenz.substack.com
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By Michael Lorenz, M.Sc. Energy & Environment Technology (KIT)The recently released Global Electricity Review 2025 by Ember provides a crucial snapshot of our current energy landscape. It marks significant milestones while also highlighting the complex path ahead in the global Energy Transition. This article breaks down the key findings and explores their implications. To make these important insights more accessible, I’ve also created a video that walks through the core data. A New Milestone: Over 40% Low-Carbon Power Globally
For the first time since the 1940s, a significant threshold has been crossed in global electricity generation. According to the Global Electricity Review 2025, generation from all low-carbon power sources — which includes renewables and nuclear — surpassed 40% of global electricity in 2024. Specifically, these sources reached 40.9% of the global mix, a notable increase from 39.4% in 2023.
This is a landmark achievement, especially considering the global electricity system today is 50 times larger than it was in the 1940s. This shift underscores a clear momentum in the decarbonization of our power sector, even as overall energy needs continue to evolve. While various sources contribute to this figure, the growth has been particularly propelled by the rapid expansion of renewable technologies.
Solar Power: The Undisputed Engine of Growth
The report leaves no doubt: solar power has become the engine of the global energy transition. For the third consecutive year, solar was the largest source of new electricity generation globally, adding a remarkable 474 TWh in 2024. This represents a stunning 29% growth from the previous year, making it the fastest-growing source of electricity for the 20th year in a row.
The scale and speed of solar’s ascent are extraordinary. Solar generation has effectively doubled in the last three years, reaching 2,131 TWh in 2024 — a volume now sufficient to power all of India. This exponential growth is also reflected in capacity: after surpassing 1 Terawatt (TW) of global solar power capacity in 2022, it took only two more years to install the next 1 TW, reaching 2 TW in 2024. This highlights solar energy’s critical role in meeting rising electricity demand and displacing fossil fuels.
Rising Demand & New Drivers: A Complex Challenge
Despite the progress in clean energy generation, the global electricity demand itself is on an upward trajectory. In 2024, global electricity demand grew by a significant 4.0% (+1,172 TWh), crossing the 30,000 TWh threshold for the first time. This was the third-largest percentage growth in the last decade.
A notable factor in this demand increase was the impact of heatwaves, which amplified demand by an estimated 0.7% (+208 TWh) due to increased cooling needs. Beyond weather-related impacts, new structural drivers are also pushing demand higher. Technologies like electric vehicles (EVs), heat pumps, and particularly data centers (including those for AI and cryptocurrency mining) contributed a combined 0.7% (+195 TWh) to annual demand growth in 2024. This contribution from new technologies is more than twice what it was just five years ago, signaling a substantial shift in consumption patterns that the energy transition must accommodate.
The Shifting Fossil Fuel Landscape
The rise in overall electricity demand, particularly due to extreme weather, had a direct impact on fossil fuel generation in 2024. Global fossil fuel generation increased by 1.4% (+245 TWh), leading to a 1.6% rise in global power sector emissions, which reached a new record high.
However, the report offers crucial nuance: this increase was primarily a result of hotter temperatures compared to 2023. Had temperatures remained the same, fossil fuel generation would have seen only a minimal 0.2% increase, as the record surge in clean electricity generation (927 TWh in 2024) was sufficient to cover 96% of the non-temperature-related demand growth. Looking ahead, the report indicates that fossil fuel generation is set for a structural decline over the rest of the decade, as accelerated clean generation is expected to consistently outpace structural demand growth. The “era of fossil growth is coming to an end,” as stated by Ember’s Managing Director, Phil MacDonald.
The Road Ahead: Flexibility, Storage, and Global Collaboration
To effectively integrate the rapidly growing share of variable renewables like solar and wind, the development of flexibility solutions is paramount. Battery storage technology is emerging as a crucial enabler. Driven by falling costs (the average price of lithium-ion battery packs dropped by 20% in 2024), a record 69 GW of battery storage capacity was installed globally in 2024, nearly doubling the total installed capacity. This cost-competitiveness is even opening doors for concepts like 24-hour solar power projects.
The success of the global energy transition will also heavily depend on the trajectory of major economies. The report highlights that China and India are pivotal, as they are beginning to decouple their electricity demand growth from fossil fuel expansion by deploying clean generation at a world-leading scale. Their continued progress in this area can significantly tip the global balance towards a sustained decline in fossil fuel generation.
Conclusion: Navigating Progress and Complexity
The Global Electricity Review 2025 paints a picture of significant progress but also immense challenges. While the growth of renewables, particularly solar, offers substantial hope, managing rising demand and ensuring a truly global and equitable transition will require continued innovation, investment in flexibility like battery storage, and concerted international collaboration. The era of fossil fuel growth appears to be ending, but the speed and nature of the decline will depend on the choices made now.
What are your thoughts on these global energy developments? Which aspects do you find most critical or promising? Share your perspectives in the comments below.
For deeper, interactive exploration, use the SolarShift GPT - AI-powered Cleantech Insights:
https://chatgpt.com/g/g-681ef70b99188191a492878edde49e60-solarshift-gpt-ai-powered-cleantech-insights
Or read the Full Report:
https://ember-energy.org/latest-insights/global-electricity-review-2025/
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit michaellorenz.substack.com