Clean electricity sources provided over 40% of the world’s energy in 2024, driven largely by solar power’s growth. But despite the shift, global CO₂ emissions from electricity hit a new record due to rising demand, especially during extreme heat.
According to a new report from energy think tank Ember, clean energy sources will generate more than 40% of global electricity in 2024. The milestone marks a shift in how the world generates power, but the report also adds that electricity-generated emissions reached a new high last year.
Despite growth in renewable energy, rising global temperatures have increased electricity demand, pushing fossil fuel use higher. The report connects demand to an increase in the use of air conditioning during hotter weather.
Solar continues to lead growth
Solar energy remains the fastest-growing source of electricity. Over the last three years, solar-generated power output has doubled globally. China has played a major role in the growth, accounting for more than half of new solar capacity. India also saw its solar output double between 2023 and 2024.
In total, solar power contributed just under 7% of global electricity last year – roughly equivalent to the electricity needs of the entire population of India. Wind power accounted for just over 8%, while hydro-power made up 14%, and continues to be the largest source of clean electricity. Nuclear energy held a 9% share.
Although both hydro and nuclear’s proportions of clean energy generation are growing, their expansion is slower than solar and wind.
Electricity demand still outpacing clean energy gains
According to the report, while clean energy sources supplied 40.9% of global electricity, total electricity demand grew by 4% in 2024. Much of the increase was due to higher cooling needs during heatwaves, particularly in fast-growing economies.
That rise in demand led to more fossil fuel generation, with coal accounting for 34% and natural gas 22% of global electricity. As a result, emissions from power generation reached 14.6 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide – the highest level on record.
Emissions outlook and historical context
Ember noted that this is the first time since the 1940s that clean energy has made up more than 40% of the global electricity mix. In the early 20th century, overall electricity demands were lower, and hydroelectricity played a larger proportional role.
Despite steady growth in renewables, carbon emissions have yet to show a sustained decline, partly due to electricity demand rising faster than clean energy deployment. Ember has projected previously that emissions from power generation would begin to fall, but that trend has yet to materialise.
Hot weather and regional growth drive fossil use
The spike in emissions is tied closely to warmer conditions. According to the Copernicus Climate Service, March 2025 was the second-hottest March on record, continuing a streak of high monthly temperatures.
Countries like China and India have seen rapid increases in electricity use, and much of that growth is still being met with coal and gas. While these nations are also expanding their renewable energy capacity, the pace hasn’t been enough to curb overall emissions.
Ember’s report suggests that unless global electricity demand stabilises or clean energy growth accelerates further, fossil fuels are likely to remain a significant part of the mix in the short term – even as solar and wind continue to scale up.
(Photo by Unsplash)
