Low-carbon sources, including renewables and nuclear, generated a record 40.9% of the world’s electricity in 2024, according to a report by energy think tank Ember on Tuesday.
This marks the first time clean energy has exceeded 40% since the 1940s, according to Ember’s sixth annual Global Electricity Review.
Renewable energy was the primary driver of this growth, adding a record 858 terawatt-hours in 2024, a 49% increase over the previous high in 2022.
The analysis includes the world’s first open dataset on 2024 electricity generation covering 88 countries representing 93% of global electricity demand.
The report highlighted solar power as the most significant contributor for the third consecutive year.
Solar generation increased by 474 TWh, reaching a 6.9% share of global electricity, and doubled in just three years, providing over 2,000 TWh in 2024.
Solar was also the fastest-growing power source for the 20th straight year, with a 29% increase.
China saw more than half of the global increase in solar generation in 2024, with clean generation growth meeting 81% of its demand increase.
India’s solar capacity additions doubled in 2024 compared to the previous year.
– Wind accounts for 8.1% of global electricity
Wind generation also grew, reaching 8.1% of global electricity, while hydropower’s share remained steady at 14%, making it the largest single renewable source, according to Ember.
Nuclear energy met 9% of the world’s electricity production last year.
Despite the surge in renewables, fossil fuel generation saw a slight 1.4% increase in 2024 due to rising electricity demand, pushing global power sector emissions up by 1.6% to a record high.
The report noted that heatwaves were a major factor in this increase, primarily due to increased cooling needs.
Beyond weather, the increasing use of electricity for AI, data centers, electric vehicles, and heat pumps contributed to global demand growth, accounting for a 0.7% increase in 2024, double their contribution five years ago.
– Clean generation growth set to outpace faster-rising demand
The report projects that clean generation growth is set to outpace the faster-rising demand in the coming years, signaling the start of a permanent decline in fossil fuel generation.
The current expected growth in clean generation would be sufficient to meet an annual demand increase of 4.1% through 2030, exceeding current demand growth expectations.
Commenting on the report, Phil MacDonald, Ember’s managing director said: ‘Solar power has become the engine of the global energy transition.’
‘Paired with battery storage, solar is set to be an unstoppable force. As the fastest-growing and largest source of new electricity, it is critical in meeting the world’s ever-increasing demand for electricity,’ MacDonald added.
