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.
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.
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of the global electricity supply in 2024 was generated from renewables, including hydroelectricity (Statistical Review of World Energy)
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of electricity generated by coal in 2024 globally (Statistical Review of World Energy)
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estimated year-on-year rise in electricity consumption in 2024 (IEA)
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grid-scale battery electricity storage system capacity in 2024 (Statistical Review of World Energy)
New Energy World stories
Hybrid solar+storage and long-duration energy storage projects complete in China
20th October 2026
PowerChina has completed grid connection and started electricity generation at a 1GW hybrid solar project in Gonghe county, Qinghai province, northwes...
African wind capacity reaches new peak of 11.1GW, but three countries dominate
20th October 2026
Egypt is building Africa’s first gigawatt-scale wind project, while South African corporate buyers are securing wind contracts through private power p...
Battery storage undercuts gas as energy transition reshapes global power markets
20th October 2026
Four-hour battery storage is now cheaper than open-cycle gas in all 43 markets modelled, according to Wood Mackenzie’s latest global levelised cost of...
New predictions about the global energy system towards 2050
13th October 2026
DNV’s 2026 Energy transition outlook report, its 10th, divides the world between the energy importers and the energy exporters, and finds that it is t...
More than 8,000 European renewables sites found vulnerable to cyberattack
13th October 2026
Thousands of systems used to monitor and control European wind and solar sites are unnecessarily connected to the internet, making renewable energy in...
Technical guidance publications
EI 3633
Soil and groundwater risks at battery and hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle energy retail sites
September 2026
EI 3633 Soil and groundwater risks at battery and hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle energy retail sites examines the potential risks to soil and gro...
EI 3308
Assessing the condition and remaining life of underground electrical cables
April 2026
Approaches to assessing the condition of electrical power cables have changed considerably over time. Previously, underground cables were generally le...
EI 3299
Guidelines on earthing/grounding/bonding in the oil and gas industry
September 2025
This publication brings together the essential requirements relating to earthing/grounding and bonding for installations in hazardous areas in the oil...
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...
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...