Highlights of the global energy transition in 2025

This end-of-year commentary by Ember synthesises key findings from 2025 regarding the global energy transition, highlighting how solar and wind power have begun to outpace global electricity demand growth and reshape energy dynamics through the rise of "electrotech" and battery storage.

• In the first three quarters of 2025, solar and wind power expanded fast enough to meet all new electricity demand, with their combined share of global electricity rising to 17.6% from 15.2% in the same period the previous year. This contributed to a total low-carbon source share of 43%. Additionally, renewables collectively generated more electricity than coal for the first time over a sustained period.
• Solar energy growth is accelerating in previously lagging markets. In Africa, imports of Chinese solar panels increased by 60% in the 12 months ending June 2025, totaling 15 GW. Specific countries saw massive import increases: Algeria (33-fold), Zambia (eightfold), Botswana (sevenfold), and Sudan (sixfold), while Liberia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Benin, Angola, and Ethiopia more than tripled their imports. In Central Europe, Hungary generated over 40% of its electricity from solar in June 2025, and Poland and Czechia reached record monthly solar outputs.
• The BRICS nations have become a central force in the energy transition, accounting for 51% of global solar generation by 2024, a significant increase from 15% a decade prior. China has emerged as the first "electrostate," leading the "electrotech" revolution (solar, wind, batteries, EVs, and heat pumps). China accounts for 50% of global solar panel installations, 60% of EV sales, and two-thirds of global electricity demand growth since 2019; its fossil demand for electricity generation decreased by 2% in the first half of 2025.
• Falling battery costs are making 24/7 solar power a viable alternative to baseload power. In high-insolation regions, solar paired with batteries can provide round-the-clock electricity at approximately US $104/MWh, which is cheaper than new coal and nuclear. In Mexico, this shift could result in annual savings of about $1.6 billion USD by avoiding gas imports. In India, large industrial consumers can now meet up to 80% of their annual electricity needs using a cost-effective mix of solar, wind, and storage.
• The growth of AI and data centres is driving a new competitive race for clean power and grid infrastructure. In the ASEAN region (excluding Viet Nam), data centres could represent 2–30% of national electricity demand by 2030. In Malaysia, relying on fossil-heavy grids for this growth could increase emissions sevenfold, whereas solar and wind could supply up to 30% of that demand. In Europe, grid congestion in London, Dublin, and Frankfurt has created connection queues of 7–10 years, shifting AI investment toward regions with more available clean capacity.

APA

Jones, D., Broadbent, H., Rahmani, A. A., Orso, L., Rangelova, K., Das, D., Pham, L., & Butler-Sloss, S. (2025). Highlights of the global energy transition in 2025. Ember. https://ember-energy.org/latest-insights/highlights-of-the-global-energy-transition-in-2025

Chicago

Jones, Dave, Hannah Broadbent, Ardhi Arsala Rahmani, Lauren Orso, Kostantsa Rangelova, Duttatreya Das, Lam Pham, and Sam Butler-Sloss. Highlights of the global energy transition in 2025. Ember, 2025. https://ember-energy.org/latest-insights/highlights-of-the-global-energy-transition-in-2025.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Jones |first1=Dave |last2=Broadbent |first2=Hannah |last3=Rahmani |first3=Ardhi Arsala |last4=Orso |first4=Lauren |last5=Rangelova |first5=Kostantsa |last6=Das |first6=Duttatreya |last7=Pham |first7=Lam |last8=Butler-Sloss |first8=Sam |title=Highlights of the global energy transition in 2025 |publisher=Ember |date=17 December 2025 |url=https://ember-energy.org/latest-insights/highlights-of-the-global-energy-transition-in-2025 |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{jones2025highlights, author = {Jones, Dave and Broadbent, Hannah and Rahmani, Ardhi Arsala and Orso, Lauren and Rangelova, Kostantsa and Das, Duttatreya and Pham, Lam and Butler-Sloss, Sam}, title = {{Highlights of the global energy transition in 2025}}, institution = {Ember}, year = {2025}, month = dec, url = {https://ember-energy.org/latest-insights/highlights-of-the-global-energy-transition-in-2025}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }