Highlights of the global energy transition in 2025

In 2025, solar and wind power expanded fast enough to outpace global electricity demand growth for the first time over a sustained period. Solar growth accelerated in Africa and Central Europe, while BRICS nations now generate over half of global solar power. The rise of 'electrotech'—led by China—and falling battery costs are enabling fossil-free baseload power and supporting the energy demands of AI and data centres.

• For the first time over a sustained period, solar and wind power expanded faster than global electricity demand growth. In the first three quarters of 2025, these two sources provided 17.6% of global electricity, contributing to a total low-carbon share of 43%. Additionally, renewables as a whole generated more electricity than coal during this period.
• Solar energy is accelerating in previously lagging markets. In Africa, imports of Chinese solar panels rose 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). In Central Europe, Hungary generated over 40% of its electricity from solar in June 2025, while Poland and Czechia reached record monthly outputs.
• The BRICS nations have become a central hub for 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,' driving the 'electrotech' revolution (solar, wind, batteries, EVs, and heat pumps). China accounts for 60% of global EV sales, half of global solar panel installations, and two-thirds of global electricity demand growth since 2019. In the first half of 2025, China's fossil demand for electricity generation decreased by 2%.
• Falling battery costs are making 'solar as baseload' viable. In high-insolation regions, solar paired with batteries can deliver 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.
• The growth of AI and data centres is creating a critical need for clean power and grid infrastructure. In ASEAN countries (excluding Viet Nam), data centres could represent 2–30% of national electricity demand by 2030. In Europe, grid congestion in London, Dublin, and Frankfurt has led to connection queues of 7–10 years.

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} }