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?
UK publishes detail on long duration energy storage ‘cap and floor’ investment framework
19/3/2025
The TDD sets out how the cap and floor scheme will operate, application window timelines, eligibility criteria and the potential LDES capacity needed,...
US Energy Secretary vows to reverse Biden-era climate policies
19/3/2025
Speaking at S&P Global’s CERAWeek conference in Houston, Wright vowed a reversal of the Biden administration’s ‘very poor direction in energy poli...
Did you hear? Gode Wind 3 wind project starts commercial operation offshore Germany
19/3/2025
Gode Wind 3 comprises 23 wind turbines from Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy, each with a capacity of 11 MW. ‘With a rotor diameter of 200 metres, this...
Germany set to secure energy independence, but narrowly miss climate target
12/3/2025
DNV’s first German Energy Transition Outlook (ETO) report forecasts that its energy mix by supply will shift dramatically. Imports, which currently ma...
A tale of two countries: India achieves record rooftop solar capacity while Pakistan struggles to attract energy investments
12/3/2025
An 86% expansion of rooftop solar capacity in India last year, up from 1.7 GW in 2023, was the result of a surge in residential installations. This wa...
Events and training
UK Energy Policy Debate | Clean Power 2030: an achievable target?
29/4/2025
The UK Government's Clean Power 2030 Action Plan outlines a pathway to transition the electricity system to predominantly clean energy sources by 2030...
Aviation Jet Fuel - April 2024
29/4/2025 - 1/5/2025
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...
Addressing engineering opportunities and challenges towards delivering net zero in 2050
12/5/2025 - 14/5/2025
At this event, delegates will explore tangible solutions for engineering professionals to meet Oman's energy transition goals.Bookings will open short...
Site Tour of the Gloucestershire Energy from Waste Facility
29/5/2025
Tour the Gloucestershire Energy from Waste Facility and learn how waste is transformed into sustainable energy
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...
