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?
Two Ohio solar projects begin operations feeding electricity to tech giants
15/1/2025
Meta Platforms will purchase the renewable energy generated from Hardin II Solar. The project represents additional energy generation capacity in the ...
New electricity law sets framework to support clean energy development in Vietnam
15/1/2025
A pivotal focus of Vietnam’s new Energy Law is the prioritisation of renewable energy sources, like solar, wind and nuclear power, as well as green hy...
Cleanest-ever electricity recorded in the UK
15/1/2025
The analysis shows that in total, fossil fuels made up just 29% of the UK’s electricity in 2024 – the lowest level on record – while nuclear contribut...
Now launched, China’s streamlined energy law facilitates energy transition in the world’s largest economy
15/1/2025
The new Energy Law comprises nine sections that cover a wide array of topics including energy planning, development and utilisation, the energy market...
Industry praises UK government plans for electricity system change proposals
8/1/2025
The Clean Power Action Plan aims to ‘clean up a dysfunctional grid system’ by prioritising the most important projects and ending the ‘first-come-firs...
Events and training
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Technical guidance publications
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 3579
Guidance on green and low carbon hydrogen production: plant design, construction, operation and maintenance, co-location and other considerations
June 2024
EI 3557
SafetyOn Electrical safety good practice guidelines: Wind turbine generator high voltage access awareness
April 2024
EI 3539
Guidance on large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) system design, development and operation
August 2023
EI 3499
Research report: Application of life cycle assessment methodology to the understanding of the energy balance and efficiency of hydrogen value chain building blocks
May 2022
This document explores the efficiencies of the hydrogen energy system and quantifies the energy intensity and associated GHG emissions, compared to ot...
