The International Energy Agency’s Global Energy Review 2026 indicates that the energy transition worldwide is gathering pace. The review shows that low-emissions sources, including solar, wind, nuclear and hydropower, met nearly 60% of the growth in global energy demand last year. Solar PV recorded the largest single-year increase in electricity generation ever seen from any source – the first time on record that a modern renewable source has led global primary energy supply growth. It was followed closely by natural gas.
Renewable capacity additions reached a record 800 GW globally, while clean energy technologies deployed since 2019 are now estimated to avoid 3 billion tonnes of CO2 emissions annually. Together, these figures point to a transition that is advancing at scale.
Demand for fossil fuels also grew in 2025, though at a slower rate than in 2024. Coal consumption rose by just 0.4%, compared to 1.4% in 2024, reflecting cooler weather and strong renewables growth. Oil demand increased by 0.65 million barrels per day, with growth concentrated in petrochemicals and aviation.
Meanwhile, rapidly rising electric vehicle sales – up by more than 20% to over 20 million units – kept road transport fuel demand in check. Natural gas demand grew by around 40 billion cubic metres, with its 1% growth rate marking a sharp slowdown from 2.8% in 2024, largely owing to the dampening effect of higher prices.
The report finds that methane emissions from the energy sector – including oil, natural gas, coal and bioenergy – plateaued at near record highs in 2025. While this suggests progress in slowing emissions growth, it also highlights a widening implementation gap between commitments and action.
