Today, the global electricity generation landscape is dominated by fossil fuels, which constitute approximately 59% of the mix. Of this, coal and natural gas together contribute a significant portion, with coal accounting for nearly a third of all electricity and gas making up around 22%. On a more hopeful note, low-carbon energy sources are responsible for almost 41% of global electricity generation. Within this cleaner category, hydropower leads the charge, producing about 14%, followed by nuclear power at close to 9%. Wind and solar energy are also significant contributors, generating around 8% and 7%, respectively. Other sources like biofuels play a smaller role in the overall mix.

Is Electricity Growing in The World?

Globally, electricity consumption is experiencing growth once more. In 2024, the average electricity consumption reached 3781 kWh per person, surpassing the previous record set in 2023 by 82 kWh per person. This upward trend is mirrored in the cleaner sector, with low-carbon electricity generation per person increasing by 96 kWh over the previous year, reaching 1545 kWh per person. This advancement marks a significant stride in the transition towards sustainable energy solutions, highlighting the increasing contribution of clean electricity to global needs. Such growth is essential to counterbalance the prevailing dominance of fossil fuels and to mitigate their adverse environmental impacts, such as climate change and air pollution.

Suggestions

To further accelerate the shift to low-carbon electricity, focusing on the expansion of nuclear and solar energy can provide effective solutions. Successful examples around the world illustrate the potential benefits: France and Slovakia, for example, generate more than 60% of their electricity from nuclear power, setting a benchmark for others to emulate. Similarly, certain regions in the United States, notably Iowa and South Dakota, derive more than half of their electricity from wind power. By investing in these proven technologies and adopting similar strategies globally, both nuclear and solar power can substantially bolster the share of clean energy in electricity generation, helping to ensure a sustainable and environmentally friendly future.

History

Historically, the evolution of low-carbon electricity has seen remarkable milestones. In the early 1980s, nuclear energy witnessed significant increases, notably in 1984 and 1985, while hydropower continued to expand throughout the decades with notable growth in 2004 and 2010. The 21st century ushered in an era of rapid advances for wind and solar power, especially in the 2020s. For example, solar energy achieved record gains in 2022 and 2023 before an astounding increase in 2024. Similarly, wind power has consistently shown robust growth, particularly in 2020 and 2021. These trends illustrate a successful global trajectory towards a cleaner electricity future, emphasizing the importance of sustained and increased efforts towards low-carbon electricity generation.

Data Sources