Electricity Transition in 2023

In 2023, the share of renewables in the global electricity mix exceeded 30% for the first time, driven by record growth in wind and solar. However, a record fall in hydropower generation and rising electricity demand led to a marginal increase in fossil fuel generation, resulting in global power sector emissions reaching a new record high of 14,153 million tonnes of CO2.

• Renewables reached a record share of over 30% of the global electricity mix in 2023, with 102 countries achieving a renewable generation share of 30% or higher. When combined with nuclear power, low-carbon sources provided 39.4% of global electricity.
• Wind and solar generation reached a record high of 13.4% (3,935 TWh) of the global mix in 2023, meeting 82% of the year's global electricity demand growth. China was the primary driver, contributing 51% of additional global solar generation and 60% of new global wind generation.
• Global hydropower generation fell to a five-year low of 4,210 TWh following a record annual decrease of 88 TWh, largely due to droughts in Asia and North America. This created a shortfall that was partially met by increased fossil fuel generation.
• Despite a record low carbon intensity of 480 gCO2/kWh, total global power sector emissions rose by 1% to a record high of 14,153 million tonnes of CO2. This was caused by a 135 TWh (0.8%) increase in absolute fossil generation to meet demand not covered by clean sources.
• Global electricity demand increased by 627 TWh (+2.2%) in 2023, reaching a record 29,471 TWh. Growth was primarily driven by China (+606 TWh) and India (+99 TWh), while demand fell in the US (-1.4%), the EU (-3.4%), and Japan (-1.9%).

APA

Ember (2024). Electricity Transition in 2023. https://ember-energy.org/chapter/electricity-transition-in-2023/

Chicago

Ember. Electricity Transition in 2023. 2024. https://ember-energy.org/chapter/electricity-transition-in-2023/.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Ember |title=Electricity Transition in 2023 |date=8 May 2024 |url=https://ember-energy.org/chapter/electricity-transition-in-2023/ |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{ember2024electricity, author = {{Ember}}, title = {{Electricity Transition in 2023}}, institution = {Ember}, year = {2024}, month = may, url = {https://ember-energy.org/chapter/electricity-transition-in-2023/}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }