On April 8th, the British energy think tank “Ember” released its latest report stating that in 2024, global renewable energy generation achieved record-breaking growth, propelling the share of clean energy (including renewable energy and nuclear power) in total global electricity generation to exceed 40%.
Titled “Global Electricity Review 2025,” the report analyzes electricity data from over 200 countries and regions, incorporating the latest data from 2024 for over 80 countries and regions accounting for more than 90% of global electricity demand, as well as estimated data for other countries and regions for the same year.
The report reveals that renewable energy generation increased by 858 terawatt-hours (TWh) in 2024, a record high. This record-breaking growth in renewable energy generation drove the share of clean energy in total global electricity generation to 40.9%. Solar energy has emerged as the engine driving the global energy transition, with solar power generation doubling over the past three years. The report notes that over half of the global increase in solar and wind power generation in 2024 came from China.
However, the report also points out that frequent heatwaves in 2024 led to a 4% increase in global electricity demand, resulting in a slight rise in fossil fuel-based electricity generation and a historic high in power sector carbon emissions.
The report states that human society is gradually approaching a tipping point where the rapid growth of clean energy generation outpaces structural demand growth. With the continued expansion of clean energy generation and the widespread application of technologies such as battery energy storage, reliance on fossil fuel-based electricity generation is expected to gradually decline in the coming years.
