World electricity demand is expected to increase by an average of 3.4% every year until 2026
Electricity, derived from the flow of electric charge, is vital for numerous aspects of modern life, from work and communication to transport and leisure. Most electricity is produced from fossil fuels in power plants, but low-carbon sources like nuclear and renewables (solar, wind, hydro, biomass) are increasingly contributing to the global generation mix. These efforts aim to mitigate climate change and leverage falling technology costs. Electricity generated is fed into a grid, transmitted over long distances, and distributed regionally to homes and businesses.
Balancing electricity supply with demand is complex, requiring markets to ensure sufficient generation through forward contracts and real-time balancing with flexible measures like dispatchable generation, energy storage, and interconnection. The system is evolving with more intermittent renewables and decentralized generation, creating supply-side disruptions and demand-side uncertainties. Future electricity systems will need enhanced grid roles, greater flexibility, and new business models, increasingly relying on digital technologies.
Learn more about these sources of electricity by exploring our Energy Insights on this topic.
Discover UK energy professionals' views of the future of electricity, gathered in our annual Energy Barometer.
Search for articles on electric vehicles and the role of electricity in transport published in our New Energy World magazine.
0%
share of total power generation was from renewables in 2023 (Statistical Review of World Energy)
Over0%
of global electricity still comes from coal-fired generation (IEA)
0%
of global electricity demand increase during 2020-25 is expected to be met by renewables (IEA)
0GW
is the grid-scale battery electricity storage system capacity in 2023 (Statistical Review of World Energy)
What's new?
Latest Statistical Review of World Energy signposts age of energy additions
26th June 2025
In a year when average air temperatures consistently breached the 1.5°C warming threshold, global CO₂-equivalent emissions from energy rose by 1%, mar...
Electricity bills to be slashed for over 7,000 UK businesses by green levy cuts
25th June 2025
The Industrial Strategy sets out a 10-year plan to boost investment, create skilled jobs and tackles two key challenges facing UK industry – high elec...
Voltage missteps triggered the Iberian power outage, says Spanish government – but little consensus exists on who is responsible
25th June 2025
Presenting the incident report to Spain’s Council of Ministers last week, Minister for Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge Sara Aagese...
World’s largest sand battery enters operation in Finland
18th June 2025
The battery delivers 1 MW of thermal power and offers a storage capacity of 100 MWh, making it 10 times larger than the unit launched in Kankaanpää in...
Down, down, down: new drilling technologies are improving prospects for geothermal power by reducing project duration, cutting costs and drilling deeper wells
18th June 2025
Fervo Energy drills a 15,000-foot, 500°F geothermal wellHouston-based Fervo Energy has announced the successful drilling and logging of it...
Events and training
Aviation Jet Fuel - October 2025
28th October 2025 - 30th October 2025
This 3-day training course will provide delegates with an overview of aviation jet fuel, focusing on the jet engine, its underlying principles and fue...
Technical guidance publications
EI 3582
SafetyOn and G+ workshops report: Electrical safe system of work
February 2025
SafetyOn and G+ have been working collaboratively with the EI to enhance safety protocols in the onshore and offshore wind industry through the Safe S...
EI 3021
Model Code of Safe Practice Part 21: Guidelines for the control of hazards arising from static electricity
June 2024
Essential reading for all those involved in the fuels distribution and supply chain, this document provides up to date guidance on key equipment, proc...
EI 3564
Guidance on green and low carbon hydrogen production: plant design, construction, operation and maintenance, co-location and other considerations
June 2024
‘Hydrogen economy’ is an umbrella term used to describe the role that hydrogen plays in the broader economy, including as a fuel, as an energy carrier...
EI 3556
SafetyOn Electrical safety good practice guidelines: Wind turbine generator high voltage access awareness
April 2024
This first edition of the SafetyOn good practice guidelines: Wind Turbine Generator High Voltage Access Awareness covers the minimum safety training r...
EI 3539
Guidance on large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) system design, development and operation
August 2023
Solar photovoltaic (PV), which converts sunlight into electricity, is an important source of renewable energy in the 21st century. PV plant installati...
