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)
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Events and training
Aviation Jet Fuel - Nov 2024
26/11/2024 - 28/11/2024
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
No publications found.
