Clean energy supplied more than 40% of global electricity last year

Clean energy sources supplied more than 40% of global electricity generation in 2024, a new report by Ember has found, following ‘record growth’ in renewables, particularly solar.

Ember’s latest Global Electricity Review cites 2024 as a pivotal year for clean energy, with solar generation and solar capacity installations setting new record highs.

‘Solar generation has maintained its high growth rate, doubling in the last three years, and adding more electricity than any other source over that period,’ it noted, adding that solar generation now stands at more than 2,000 TWh.

Solar added 474 TWh of new electricity generation last year, and was the fastest-growing source of electricity (+29%) for the 20th year in a row. China accounted for more than half of this increase in solar generation, with China’s clean generation growth meeting 81% of its demand increase in 2024, Ember noted.

Growth in demand

At the same time, heatwaves and other extreme weather events contributed to a high growth in electricity demand – increased air conditioning use was the ‘main reason’ for electricity demand growth last year – as did demand from expanding technologies such as AI, data centres, electric vehicles and heat pumps.

Ember‘s report analysed data from 215 countries, including the latest data from 88 countries that account for 93% of electricity demand, as well as estimates for the remainder of the countries. Of these, just seven countries account for 72% of global electricity demand, it noted.

Overall, global electricity demand grew by 4.0% last year, and while renewable energy increased, this also led to a 1.4% rise in fossil generation and pushed power sector emissions to a record 14.6 billion tonnes of CO₂.

Global energy transition

“Solar power has become the engine of the global energy transition,” commented Phil MacDonald, managing director, Ember. “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.

“Amid the noise, it’s essential to focus on the real signal. Hotter weather drove the fossil generation increase in 2024, but we’re very unlikely to see a similar jump in 2025. The world is watching how technologies like AI and EVs will drive electricity demand. It’s clear that booming solar and wind are comfortably set to deliver, and those expecting fossil fuel generation to keep rising will be disappointed.”

According to Ember, even if electricity demand grows at a rate of 4.1% per year between now and 2030 – in line with some forecasts – clean energy generation growth will be fast enough to keep pace.

“Cleantech, not fossil fuels, is now the driving force of economic development,” MacDonald added. “The era of fossil growth is coming to an end, even in a world of fast-rising demand.” Read more here.