Major Countries and Regions

This report by Ember provides a 2024 analysis of the world's seven largest electricity consumers, who collectively account for 72% of global demand. It details the transition progress of China, the US, the EU, India, Russia, Japan, and Brazil, highlighting trends in clean energy adoption, coal decline, and carbon intensity.

• In 2024, China's electricity demand grew by 6.6% (+623 TWh), with clean generation meeting 81% of this increase. Solar generation saw explosive growth, increasing by 250 TWh (+43%) over 2023, which was more than twice the increase seen in coal generation (+110 TWh). Despite this, China remains the world's largest power sector emitter, accounting for 39% of global power sector emissions in 2024.
• For the first time in 2024, wind and solar combined generated more electricity in the United States than coal, with coal's share falling to an all-time low of under 15%. The US recorded its largest-ever annual increase in solar generation (+64 TWh). However, the US accounted for 57% of global growth in gas generation in 2024, with gas supplying 43% of its electricity.
• The European Union achieved the largest global fall in coal generation in 2024, with a decrease of 50 TWh (-16%). Solar was the EU's fastest-growing power source, increasing by 21% (+53 TWh). By 2024, 71% of the EU's electricity came from clean sources, and solar generation surpassed coal for the first time ever.
• India's wind and solar generation nearly doubled from 110 TWh to 215 TWh in the five years leading to 2024, allowing it to overtake Germany as the world's third-largest generator of electricity from these sources. While coal generation grew by 4.3% in 2024, it met only 64% of demand growth, a significant drop from 91% in 2023.
• Russia set record highs for both coal and gas generation in 2024, with fossil fuels making up 64% of its electricity mix. Wind and solar combined accounted for less than 1% of Russia's total power mix, the second-lowest share among G20 nations. Consequently, Russia was the world's fourth-largest power sector emitter in 2024.
• Japan's power sector emissions fell by 1.4% in 2024, reaching the lowest value in 22 years. Solar generation has grown fivefold since 2014, reaching 10% of the mix in 2024, while wind remained at 1%. Japan continues to rely on fossil fuels for 69% of its electricity generation.
• Brazil generated 90% of its electricity from clean sources in 2024, the highest share of any G20 country. It became the fifth-largest solar generator globally, surpassing Germany. Its power sector emissions in 2024 were 32% lower than their 2014 peak, totaling 77 MtCO2.

APA

Ember (2025). Major Countries and Regions. https://ember-energy.org/chapter/major-countries-and-regions-2/

Chicago

Ember. Major Countries and Regions. 2025. https://ember-energy.org/chapter/major-countries-and-regions-2/.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Ember |title=Major Countries and Regions |date=8 April 2025 |url=https://ember-energy.org/chapter/major-countries-and-regions-2/ |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{ember2025major, author = {{Ember}}, title = {{Major Countries and Regions}}, institution = {Ember}, year = {2025}, month = apr, url = {https://ember-energy.org/chapter/major-countries-and-regions-2/}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }