Renewables accounted for 32% of global electricity in 2024 – Ember

The global share of wind and solar power is growing rapidly

Last year, electricity generation from renewable sources provided a record 32% of the world’s electricity. This is stated in a report by the Ember Energy Analytical Center.

Coupled with an increase in nuclear power production, the share of clean electricity increased to 40.9% from 39.4% in 2023.

The global share of wind (8.1%) and solar (6.9%) is growing rapidly. Together, in 2024, it exceeded hydropower generation for the first time (14.3% of global production). The share of nuclear power plants last year fell to a 45-year low (9%) in 2024.

The share of other renewable sources, such as bioenergy and geothermal energy, amounted to 2.6% of global electricity in 2024.

Global electricity demand grew by 4% year-on-year last year due to heat, data centers, electric vehicles, and heat pumps.

The share of fossil fuels in electricity generation fell to 59.1% from 60.6% in 2023, dropping below 60% for the first time since the 1940s. In 2024, coal power provided 34.4% of the world’s electricity, and gas – 22%.

According to Bruce Douglas, CEO of the Global Renewable Alliance, despite geopolitical and economic difficulties, last year the renewable energy industry provided an additional 858 TWh of electricity to the system, which exceeds the total annual electricity consumption of the UK and France.

“Clean energy now accounts for more than 40% of global electricity production, proving that the momentum is unstoppable. Now governments must step up, cut red tape and unlock financing to accelerate deployment and realize the enormous security, economic, social and health benefits of clean energy,” he said.

As GMK Center reported earlier, by the end of 2024, 46.9% of all electricity in the EU was generated from renewable sources. This indicates a steady increase in the use of clean energy and a gradual reduction in dependence on fossil fuels.