Some of the key highlights of the report “Electricity 2026” published by IEA are:
-Global electricity demand is forecast to increase at a brisk average annual rate of 3.6% over the 2026-2030 forecast period, supported by rising consumption from industry, electric vehicles, air conditioning and data centres.
-Emerging economies continue to be the main pillar of demand growth, accounting for nearly 80% of additional electricity consumption through 2030
-Half of the world’s electricity is forecast to come from renewables and nuclear by 2030
-Although coal generation is set to lose ground globally, it remains the single largest source of electricity in 2030
-The Age of Electricity requires a fast and efficient expansion of grids and system flexibility to securely and cost‑effectively integrate a changing mix of generation, demand and storage
-Global power sector emissions remained flat in 2025 and are forecast to plateau over the 2026-2030 period as renewables and nuclear account for a growing share of generation.
-Affordability remains a key concern, with household electricity prices in many countries rising faster than incomes since 2019. Electricity price gaps across regions persist, adding competitive pressures.
-Recent large‑scale power outages worldwide underscore the importance of electricity security for modern economies.
Access the report here