Electricity

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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.

What's new?

Sharjah launches its first utility-scale solar farm, while a new passive cooling tech boosts PV performance in Saudi Arabia

9th July 2025

The 60 MWp capacity SANA solar project provides power during the day to Sharjah National Oil Corporation’s (SNOC) Sajaa gas plant, exporting excess po...

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Heathrow substation fire caused by moisture in electrics

9th July 2025

The National Energy System Operator (NESO) has published its final report from the review into the North Hyde substation outage which took place late ...

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Google places its bets on a fusion-powered future

9th July 2025

The deal follows an earlier investment in 2021 in CFS – founded in 2018 in Cambridge, Massachusetts, as a spin-out from the Massachusetts Institute of...

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Energy access is improving, but progress towards 2030 targets requires ‘greater collective effort’, says new report

9th July 2025

Tracking SDG 7: The Energy Progress Report 2025 highlights the role of distributed renewable energy (a combination of mini-grid and off-grid solar sys...

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Integrated heat pump/EV charger offerings coming to UK market

2nd July 2025

First is a service that includes the car. Previewed at an Octopus Energy event in June, and launching later this year, is the Power Pack Bundle, which...

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Events and training

Aviation Jet Fuel - October 2025

28th October 2025 - 30th October 2025

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...

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Technical guidance publications

EI 3582

SafetyOn and G+ workshops report: Electrical safe system of work

February 2025

SafetyOn and G+ have been working collaboratively with the EI to enhance safety protocols in the onshore and offshore wind industry through the Safe S...

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EI 3021

Model Code of Safe Practice Part 21: Guidelines for the control of hazards arising from static electricity

June 2024

Essential reading for all those involved in the fuels distribution and supply chain, this document provides up to date guidance on key equipment, proc...

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EI 3564

Guidance on green and low carbon hydrogen production: plant design, construction, operation and maintenance, co-location and other considerations

June 2024

‘Hydrogen economy’ is an umbrella term used to describe the role that hydrogen plays in the broader economy, including as a fuel, as an energy carrier...

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EI 3556

SafetyOn Electrical safety good practice guidelines: Wind turbine generator high voltage access awareness

April 2024

This first edition of the SafetyOn good practice guidelines: Wind Turbine Generator High Voltage Access Awareness covers the minimum safety training r...

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EI 3539

Guidance on large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) system design, development and operation

August 2023

Solar photovoltaic (PV), which converts sunlight into electricity, is an important source of renewable energy in the 21st century. PV plant installati...

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