Global Electricity Source Trends

In 2024, global electricity generation reached new record highs for solar, wind, hydro, gas, and coal. Solar was the fastest-growing source, increasing by 474 TWh to reach a 6.9% share of the global mix, with China contributing 53% of this growth. Wind generation also hit a record of 2,494 TWh, though growth slowed due to weather conditions. Hydro rebounded to an all-time high of 4,416 TWh following 2023 droughts, largely driven by China. Nuclear generation grew by 2.5% to 2,768 TWh, but its global market share fell to a 45-year low of 9%. Gas and coal both reached record generation levels in 2024, though their shares of the global electricity mix declined to 22% and 34% respectively, as electricity demand grew faster than their production.

• Solar power was the fastest-growing electricity source in 2024, increasing by 474 TWh to reach a total of 2,131 TWh, which represents a 29% increase. Its share of the global electricity mix rose to 6.9% from 5.6% in 2023.
• China is the dominant leader in solar expansion, adding 250 TWh in 2024, which accounts for 53% of the global increase. China's total solar generation reached 834 TWh, meaning 39% of the world's solar generation came from China in 2024.
• Global wind generation reached a record high of 2,494 TWh in 2024, an increase of 182 TWh (+7.9%) over 2023. Despite the record, growth slowed for the third consecutive year, partly due to less windy conditions in China.
• Hydro generation rebounded to an all-time high of 4,416 TWh in 2024, increasing by 182 TWh (+4.3%) as weather conditions improved after 2023 droughts. China was responsible for 71% of this global increase, adding 130 TWh.
• Nuclear generation rose by 2.5% (+69 TWh) to a record high of 2,768 TWh in 2024, driven by returning units in France and Japan. However, its share of the global electricity mix fell to 9%, the lowest level in over 45 years.
• Global gas generation reached a record high of 6,788 TWh in 2024, increasing by 1.6% (+103 TWh). Despite the record, its market share fell for the fourth year in a row to 22%, the lowest since 2013.
• Coal generation rose by 1.4% (+149 TWh) to a new record in 2024, with China accounting for 74% of the global increase (+110 TWh). Coal remains the largest single source of electricity, though its global share fell to 34% as demand grew faster than generation.

APA

Ember (2025). Global Electricity Source Trends. https://ember-energy.org/chapter/global-electricity-source-trends-2/

Chicago

Ember. Global Electricity Source Trends. 2025. https://ember-energy.org/chapter/global-electricity-source-trends-2/.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Ember |title=Global Electricity Source Trends |date=8 April 2025 |url=https://ember-energy.org/chapter/global-electricity-source-trends-2/ |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{ember2025global, author = {{Ember}}, title = {{Global Electricity Source Trends}}, institution = {Ember}, year = {2025}, month = apr, url = {https://ember-energy.org/chapter/global-electricity-source-trends-2/}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }