The International Energy Agency reports that the share of coal-fired power generation in 2024 will fall to its lowest level since statistics began.

On March 24, the International Energy Agency (IEA) released the report "Global Energy Review 2025", which systematically summarizes the global energy development situation in 2024.
The report points out that in 2024, global energy demand will grow by 2.2% year-on-year, which is lower than the 3.2% growth rate of global GDP, but higher than the 1.3% average annual growth rate of energy demand between 2013 and 2023. Emerging economies and developing countries account for more than 80 percent of global energy demand growth. In 2024, China's energy demand will grow by less than 3% year on year, only half the growth rate in 2023. At the same time, after several years of decline, energy demand in advanced economies returned to growth, with their total energy demand rising by nearly 1% year-on-year.
According to the report, the growth in global energy demand in 2024 will be mainly driven by the power sector. Global electricity consumption surged by nearly 1,100 TWH year-on-year, or 4.3 per cent, almost double the average over the past decade. It is important to note that the sharp increase in global electricity consumption in 2024 is largely driven by rising global temperatures. In 2024, the temperature in many countries and regions is abnormally high, and the demand for electricity for household refrigeration will also increase. In addition, the increase in industrial electricity consumption, the electrification of transportation, and the increasing demand for electricity in data centers that support artificial intelligence are also important reasons for the surge in global electricity consumption in 2024.
The report shows that in 2024, low-emission energy sources will meet most of the growth in global electricity demand. The world added 700 gigawatts of renewable power generation capacity, setting a record for the 22nd consecutive year. New nuclear capacity was the fifth highest in the past 30 years. Overall, 80% of the growth in global electricity generation in 2024 will come from renewables and nuclear. Together, these two energy sources contribute 40% of the world's total power generation, a record high. At the same time, electricity generation from natural gas has steadily increased.
Iea Executive Director Fatih Birol said: "There are many uncertainties in the world's energy markets today, but what is certain is that global electricity consumption is growing rapidly and driving overall energy demand upward. Notably, the multi-year decline in energy consumption in advanced economies is being reversed by surging electricity demand. In 2024, the global demand for major energy sources and energy technologies will increase significantly. In terms of meeting new energy demand, renewables contributed the largest increase, followed by natural gas. "It is important to note that the large-scale deployment of solar, wind and nuclear power, as well as the rapid adoption of electric vehicles, are weakening the positive correlation between economic growth and carbon emissions growth."
In 2024, natural gas demand grew the most strongly among fossil fuels, increasing by 115 billion cubic meters, or 2.7%. Over the past decade, global gas demand has increased by 75 billion cubic meters per year.
By contrast, oil demand growth has been slow. In 2024, global oil demand increased by 0.8% year-on-year. Oil's share of energy demand fell below 30 per cent for the first time.
In 2024, global electric vehicle sales increased by more than 25% year-on-year. Electric vehicles account for 20% of global car sales. This has largely led to lower demand for oil transported by road, offsetting much of the growth in oil consumption in the aviation and petrochemical industries.