The world has reached a major milestone in its transition toward sustainable energy. According to a newly released report by global energy think tank Ember, clean energy sources generated over 40% of the world’s electricity in 2024—the highest share recorded to date. This achievement is a clear signal that the planet is on the cusp of a broader shift from fossil fuel dependence to renewable power, but experts caution that much more needs to be done to align with international climate targets.
The report, which tracks electricity data from more than 80 countries covering 92% of global electricity demand, highlights record growth in solar and wind power, substantial support for renewables in major economies, and a slow but noticeable decline in coal-fired electricity.
A Year of Record-Breaking Clean Energy Growth
In 2024, solar power saw a staggering 29% year-on-year increase, making it the fastest-growing source of electricity globally. It now contributes nearly 7% of the total global electricity mix, a dramatic rise from just a few years ago.
Wind energy also made significant gains, supplying just over 8% of the world’s electricity. Together, wind and solar now account for 15% of global power, almost double their contribution from just five years ago.
Meanwhile, hydropower maintained its position as the largest renewable energy source, providing around 14% of global electricity. Though its share did not grow significantly, it remains a crucial component of clean power systems, especially in regions like South America and parts of Asia.
Where Is the Growth Happening?
The surge in renewable electricity generation has been largely driven by policy support, economic investment, and innovation across a handful of major economies.
- China, the world’s largest energy consumer, led the charge in solar expansion, installing nearly half of all new solar capacity globally in 2024.
- The European Union continued to accelerate its renewable deployment, with countries like Germany, Spain, and the Netherlands investing heavily in wind farms and solar installations.
- India also made progress, increasing its solar capacity and adding more wind power to the grid as part of its clean energy targets.
These regions are now acting as global clean energy hubs, not just generating power but also manufacturing solar panels, turbines, and batteries for global distribution.
A Slower Decline in Fossil Fuels
While renewables made impressive gains, the world has not yet begun a full-scale decline in fossil fuel use. Coal remained the single largest source of electricity, accounting for 34% of global generation—down slightly from 36% in 2023.
Though its share has decreased, coal’s persistence reflects the ongoing reliance of many developing economies on cheap, domestic energy sources. Gas-fired power also remained steady at around 22%, serving as a flexible backup for grids that are increasingly reliant on variable solar and wind energy.
The report emphasises that to meet climate targets outlined in the Paris Agreement, coal use in electricity generation needs to fall significantly—ideally by more than 80% by 2030.
Clean Electricity Growth Outpaces Demand
One of the most encouraging findings from the report is that clean electricity generation grew faster than overall electricity demand for the first time in modern history.
This is significant. In previous years, rising global energy needs—driven by population growth, industrialisation, and the expansion of electric vehicles and air conditioning—have often outpaced clean energy growth, leading to increased fossil fuel use.
In 2024, however, renewables added enough capacity to not only meet all new electricity demand but also begin displacing fossil fuel generation, albeit modestly. If this trend continues, experts say the world could be on track to see absolute declines in fossil fuel use for electricity in the next few years.
The Role of Policy and Investment
Governments and international organisations have played a central role in enabling the clean energy transition.
Subsidies for solar panels, feed-in tariffs for wind power, and carbon pricing schemes have all helped reduce the cost of renewables, making them competitive or even cheaper than fossil fuels in many markets.
In 2024 alone, global investment in renewable energy exceeded $600 billion, with much of it channelled toward utility-scale solar and wind projects, battery storage systems, and upgrades to electricity grids.
Meanwhile, the International Energy Agency (IEA) has called for annual renewable investments to exceed $1.3 trillion by 2030 to keep global warming below 1.5°C.
Challenges Ahead
Despite the progress, several challenges remain:
- Grid Reliability and Integration: As solar and wind become dominant sources, power grids must be modernised to handle fluctuating supply. Investment in battery storage, flexible demand systems, and smarter transmission infrastructure is essential.
- Permitting and Land Use: In many countries, delays in obtaining permits and land-use conflicts are slowing down the rollout of wind farms and solar arrays.
- Financing in the Global South: While wealthy countries are rapidly adopting clean energy, developing nations still struggle to access affordable finance, limiting their ability to transition from coal and diesel to renewables.
- Fossil Fuel Lock-in: Some governments continue to approve new coal and gas plants, risking infrastructure lock-in that could undermine long-term decarbonisation goals.
What the Future Holds
If current growth trends continue, clean electricity could account for over 50% of global generation by 2030, a target once thought unreachable. However, the speed of the transition will depend heavily on policy decisions made over the next few years.
Emerging technologies such as green hydrogen, advanced nuclear reactors, and carbon capture may also play a role in complementing renewable electricity, particularly in sectors where electrification is difficult.
International cooperation will be critical. As supply chains for solar panels and wind turbines become increasingly global, efforts to reduce trade barriers, share technology, and harmonise regulations can accelerate deployment and reduce costs further.
Final Word
The fact that clean electricity now powers two-fifths of the world’s energy grid is a milestone worth celebrating—but it is also a call to action.
The report from Ember offers a mix of optimism and urgency. It proves that the global energy system is capable of changing at speed and scale—but to reach climate goals and ensure a just, secure energy future, the world must not lose momentum.
With smart policies, continued investment, and a focus on equity and resilience, the next decade could see fossil fuels begin to fade, and clean, renewable electricity take the lead in powering our lives.
