World electricity demand is expected to increase by an average of 3.4% every year until 2026
Electricity, derived from the flow of electric charge, is vital for numerous aspects of modern life, from work and communication to transport and leisure. Most electricity is produced from fossil fuels in power plants, but low-carbon sources like nuclear and renewables (solar, wind, hydro, biomass) are increasingly contributing to the global generation mix. These efforts aim to mitigate climate change and leverage falling technology costs. Electricity generated is fed into a grid, transmitted over long distances, and distributed regionally to homes and businesses.
Balancing electricity supply with demand is complex, requiring markets to ensure sufficient generation through forward contracts and real-time balancing with flexible measures like dispatchable generation, energy storage, and interconnection. The system is evolving with more intermittent renewables and decentralized generation, creating supply-side disruptions and demand-side uncertainties. Future electricity systems will need enhanced grid roles, greater flexibility, and new business models, increasingly relying on digital technologies.
Learn more about these sources of electricity by exploring our Energy Insights on this topic.
Discover UK energy professionals' views of the future of electricity, gathered in our annual Energy Barometer.
Search for articles on electric vehicles and the role of electricity in transport published in our New Energy World magazine.
0%
share of total power generation was from renewables in 2023 (Statistical Review of World Energy)
Over0%
of global electricity still comes from coal-fired generation (IEA)
0%
of global electricity demand increase during 2020-25 is expected to be met by renewables (IEA)
0GW
is the grid-scale battery electricity storage system capacity in 2023 (Statistical Review of World Energy)
What's new?
US solar development focuses on Texas
09/10/2024
TotalEnergies begins operations at two Texas solar farms TotalEnergies has started commercial operations of Danish Fields and Cot...
Data centres turn to low-carbon energy sources
09/10/2024
A new report from the US Energy Information Administration (EIA) explores how data centres are working with the civil nuclear power industry to secure...
UK government pledges nearly £22bn for carbon capture and hydrogen
09/10/2024
The announcement confirms funding over 25 years to support HyNet and Northern Endurance Partnership East Coast Cluster projects in Merseyside and Tees...
Construction starts on Scotland-England subsea connector
09/10/2024
Construction has started on the Eastern Green Link 2 (EGL2) project, a subsea electricity transmission cable connecting Peterhead in Scotland to Drax ...
Hydrogen capacity rises – but questions remain about slow pace
09/10/2024
Hydrogen growing, but supply and demand gaps persistThe global hydrogen industry is on an upward trajectory, with demand hitting 97mn tonn...
Events and training
UK Energy Policy Debate: Overcoming skills and supply chain challenges in decarbonising
17/10/2024
This UK Energy Policy Debate will be exploring hard-to-fill areas in the current energy sector. Expert speakers will explore solutions on how skills m...
Aviation Jet Fuel - Nov 2024
26/11/2024 - 28/11/2024
This 3-day training course will provide delegates with an overview of aviation jet fuel, focusing on the jet engine, its underlying principles and fue...
Technical guidance publications
Model code of safe practice Part 21: Guidelines for the control of hazards arising from static electricity
002024
Essential reading for all those involved in the fuels distribution and supply chain, this document provides up to date guidance on key equipment, proc...
SafetyOn Electrical safety good practice guidelines: Wind turbine generator high voltage access awareness
002024
This first edition of the SafetyOn good practice guidelines: Wind Turbine Generator High Voltage Access Awareness covers the minimum safety training r...
Guidance on green and low carbon hydrogen production: plant design, construction, operation and maintenance, co-location and other considerations
002024
‘Hydrogen economy’ is an umbrella term used to describe the role that hydrogen plays in the broader economy, including as a fuel, as an en...
Guidance on large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) system design, development and operation
002023
Solar photovoltaic (PV), which converts sunlight into electricity, is an important source of renewable energy in the 21st century. PV plant installati...
Research report: Application of life cycle assessment methodology to the understanding of the energy balance and efficiency of hydrogen value chain building blocks
002022
This document is free to download for registered users.This publication explores the efficiencies of the hydrogen energy system and quantifies the ene...
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