Environment & Energy

News
20 April 2026

The world’s energy demand increased more slowly last year against a complex economic and geopolitical backdrop, but electricity use continued to rise strongly, latest IEA analysis shows

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The report shows that overall global energy demand growth slowed to 1.3% in 2025, slightly below the previous decade’s average of 1.4% and significantly lower than in 2024. The main reasons for this slowdown were lower global economic growth, less extreme temperatures in some regions, and rapid uptake of more efficient technologies.

At the same time, global electricity demand increased by around 3% – well over twice the rate of overall energy demand growth. Although electricity demand growth was slower than in 2024, reflecting factors such as lower cooling demand in India and Southeast Asia amid less severe heatwaves, it remained above the average of the past decade. Electricity demand growth was driven by multiple sectors across buildings and industry – and boosted by fast-growing demand from electric vehicles and data centres.

All major fuels and technologies expanded to meet rising demand, but at very different rates. Solar PV was the single largest contributor to growth in global energy supply in 2025, accounting for more than 25% of the increase – the first time on record that a modern renewable source has led global primary energy supply growth. Natural gas took the next largest share, at 17%, reflecting its role in power generation in many countries. Overall, renewable sources and nuclear met nearly 60% of all growth in energy demand – and power generation from these sources exceeded total growth in electricity demand.

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Global Energy Review 2026

About this report
This edition of the Global Energy Review provides the first full assessment of trends across the entire energy sector in 2025, with data for all fuels and technologies, all regions and major countries, and energy-related carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions.

The report covers estimates of energy demand by region and by source and fuel in 2025; developments in electricity demand and supply; deployment of selected energy technologies; and estimates of energy-related CO2 emissions. The report also assesses trends in energy intensity and analyses the impact of factors, such as weather effects, on energy demand and emissions.

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