Low-Carbon Power: Monitor the Growth of Low Carbon Energy
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In 2025, the global electricity landscape is marked by a significant dependence on fossil fuels, with over half of the world's electricity coming from these sources. Specifically, coal contributes almost a third, and natural gas around a fifth of the global electricity consumption. On the brighter side, low-carbon energy sources, which are crucial for a sustainable future, make up nearly 43% of electricity generation. Hydropower remains the most prominent clean source, with slightly over 14%, while nuclear and each of the solar and wind sectors contribute close to 9% each. It is heartening to observe that these low-carbon sources are collectively gaining ground as crucial pillars of a sustainable electricity landscape.
Data sources used on this page include Ember, IEA, VisualizingEnergy and World Bank. More about data sources →
Is Electricity Growing in The World?
Electricity consumption, as observed in the global per capita statistics for 2025, has shown a positive trajectory with an increase since the previous year. The latest average stands at 3736 kWh per person, advancing by 72 kWh per person since 2024, signifying a moderate overall growth. Notably, the progress in low-carbon electricity generation has been even more pronounced with a rise of 92 kWh per person, achieving a new level of 1604 kWh per person. This illustrates that while the world is consuming more electricity, a growing portion of this is derived from cleaner sources, highlighting a commendable shift towards sustainable growth in the sector.
Suggestions
To further enhance low-carbon electricity generation, countries can learn from regions that have successfully increased their reliance on specific clean energy sources. For instance, France and Slovakia exhibit commendable reliance on nuclear energy, generating two-thirds of their electricity from this clean source. Similarly, Denmark sets an example with more than half of its electricity generated from wind. Promising advances in solar energy can also be seen in places like North Macedonia and Nevada. Emulating these practices and fostering investments in nuclear and solar infrastructure can provide a pathway to a more sustainable future, reducing reliance on fossil fuels and mitigating the adverse effects of climate change and pollution associated with them.
History
Reflecting on the historical progression of low-carbon electricity throughout the years, the expansion of nuclear power was particularly significant during the mid-1980s and 1990s, contributing substantial growth. However, more recently, nuclear energy has experienced fluctuations, including a notable decline in 2011 and 2022. Despite this, there is optimistic momentum in solar and wind sectors in the recent years, particularly with significant upward shifts in wind and solar during 2017 through to 2025. The remarkable and consistent year-on-year growth post-2010 in these areas represents a powerful shift towards sustainable energy practices, emphasizing the potential for future advancements and the critical role solar and nuclear energy can play in achieving global electricity needs sustainably.
