In 2024, the global electricity consumption landscape is marked by a notable reliance on fossil fuels, which contribute more than half of the electricity generation at approximately 59%. Coal and gas together account for the lion's share of fossil energy, with coal being the dominant source at more than a third of total electricity production and gas adding nearly 22%. In contrast, low-carbon or clean energy sources, including hydropower, nuclear, wind, solar, and biofuels, make up nearly 41% of electricity generation. Among these, hydropower leads with over 14%, followed by nuclear energy at roughly 9%, and wind and solar close behind, each contributing around 8% and 7%, respectively. Biofuels contribute a smaller share of about 2%, highlighting the diversification within the low-carbon segment.

Is Electricity Growing in The World?

The world's electricity consumption continues its upward trajectory, a positive sign in line with growing energy demands. In 2024, the average electricity consumption per person reached 3781 kWh, surpassing the previous year's record by a notable increase of 82 kWh. This upward trend is mirrored in the low-carbon sector as well, where a significant improvement was witnessed. Low-carbon electricity generation rose to 1545 kWh per person, marking a substantial hike of 96 kWh from the 2023 record. This accelerating growth is greatly encouraging, as it reflects not only the general progress in electricity availability but also the increasing commitment to expanding clean electricity sources, which help mitigate the adverse effects of fossil fuels like climate change and air pollution.

Suggestions

To further boost low-carbon electricity generation, encouraging policies and investments in nuclear and solar energy are essential. Learning from regions with significant success in these sectors provides a blueprint for others. For instance, France, Slovakia, and Iowa each generate impressive majorities of their electricity from nuclear and wind respectively, achieving around 60% and above from these clean sources. Denmark’s wind energy success, at about 57%, and South Dakota’s at 60%, demonstrate the potential of wind power in meeting clean energy goals. Global efforts should focus on building substantial nuclear infrastructures and vast solar arrays. These strategies are not only environmentally sound but also vital for meeting future demand, driven by electrification and technological advances such as AI.

History

Historically, the transition towards low-carbon electricity has seen significant milestones. In the 1980s, the world saw a remarkable rise in nuclear electricity generation, especially between 1984 and 1985, with an increase of over 500 TWh. In more recent decades, hydropower has consistently contributed to electricity growth, with notable surges in the early 2000s and throughout the past decade. The last years have been particularly promising for solar and wind power, which have shown impressive growth since 2017, with solar alone witnessing a surge of over 600 TWh from 2021 to 2024. This historical progress affirms the vital role of clean electricity in meeting global energy needs while tackling environmental challenges, emphasizing the need for continuous investment and development in these crucial sectors.

Electrification

We estimate the degree of electrification by comparing electricity and total energy emissions. More about methodology.

Data Sources