The Ember report notes that global electricity demand grew by 4.0% in 2024, reaching over 30,000 TWh for the first time. This increase marks the third-highest annual percentage growth on record, reflecting strong demand recovery across regions and sectors. The year also saw notable shifts in fuel mix, with renewables expanding their share while coal and gas faced varied demand dynamics.
Key facts
- Global electricity demand: +4.0% in 2024, adding approximately 1,172 TWh and crossing 30,000 TWh total demand.
- Yearly context: 2024 represents the third-highest percentage increase in electricity demand historically.
Drivers
- Economic activity and temperature-related demand contributed to the surge in consumption.
- Policy and market developments continued to influence fuel mix, with renewables expanding their role in generation.
Regional dynamics
- Regions with rapid solar and wind deployment saw stronger year-over-year growth, while regions reliant on fossil fuel generation faced transitional pressures.
Citations
- The core figures and context come from Ember’s Global Electricity Review 2025, 2024 in Review.
Author’s summary: Global electricity demand rose sharply in 2024, surpassing 30,000 TWh for the first time, driven by broad economic activity and renewable growth, marking a historically high pace of increase. 120 characters
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ember-energy.org — 2025-12-04