Renewable and nuclear energy accounted for 41% of global electricity generation in 2024, marking the first time low-emission sources supplied such a significant share, according to the International Energy Agency's (IEA) Global Energy Review report.
Global energy demand grew faster than the average pace last year, driving electricity generation up by approximately 1,200 terawatt-hours compared to 2023, according to the report.
Renewables accounted for 32% of total electricity output, while nuclear energy contributed 9%.
The majority of renewable electricity growth came from solar and wind power, which together added a record 670 terawatt-hours. Nuclear generation also increased by 100 terawatt-hours.
Renewable energy capacity increased sharply, with approximately 700 gigawatts of new capacity installed in 2024, nearly 80% of which came from solar. Nuclear capacity grew by about 7 gigawatts, marking the fifth-largest annual increase in the past three decades.
Construction began on nine new nuclear reactors last year, expected to add 11 gigawatts upon completion. All new reactor projects are based on Chinese and Russian designs.
The IEA noted that in the European Union (EU), solar and wind power together surpassed the combined share of coal and gas for the first time, while in the US, solar and wind generation overtook coal. In China, solar and wind energy's share of electricity production neared 20%.
- Electrical systems evolve
"The increase in the share of low-carbon emission sources in electricity generation has also transformed global electricity systems," Aliaksei Patonia, a research fellow at Oxford Institute for Energy Studies, told Anadolu.
Stating the increase in share is due to government incentives and corporate demand for clean energy, "In 2024, a record investment of 2.1 trillion dollars was made in clean energy in the world. The widespread use of variable renewables is also driving deeper systemic changes, such as investment in grid resilience, battery storage, and digitization of electrical systems to manage fluctuating generation," he explained
He underlined that nuclear energy remains an important contributor to clean energy, adding, "While the majority of new projects are concentrated in China and Russia, existing power plants in the US, Europe, and Asia contribute to reliable and zero-carbon baseload generation."
Noting that nuclear energy can guarantee a stable load, unlike variable renewable energy such as solar and wind, "Because of these and many other factors, it is likely that the importance of nuclear power will grow in the foreseeable future."
Patonia highlighted the growing interest in extending reactor lifespans and deploying small modular reactors (SMRs), particularly in the US, UK, Canada, and parts of Europe.
"In my opinion, broader expansion will depend on addressing challenges around financing, regulatory frameworks, and public acceptance," he added.
- Coal's declining electricity generation marks an energy turning point
"In some regions, such as the US and the EU, renewable energy generation has surpassed coal - once considered unlikely within this decade, marking a defining moment in the global energy transition," Patonia emphasized.
"Power generation from coal is declining, especially in advanced economies. On the other hand, it remains an important resource in countries such as China and India. But in the long run, clean energy and climate policies limit the use of coal," he further explained.
Stating that competition focused on clean energy supply chains, grid infrastructure, and critical minerals and raw materials such as lithium, cobalt, and rare earth elements is a critical trend, "This adds a geopolitical dimension to the energy transition, as countries seek to secure manufacturing capacity, reduce dependencies, and build resilient clean technology industries," he added.
By Basak Erkalan
Anadolu Agency
energy@aa.com.tr