Clean Energy Hits 50% of Global Power by 2030

For the first time in history, clean energy is about to become the world's dominant power source.

The International Energy Agency announced that renewables and nuclear power will supply 50% of global electricity by 2030, marking a turning point in how the world powers itself. Just five years ago, these clean sources provided only 42% of our electricity.

Solar power is leading the charge. Record installations in recent years helped renewable energy nearly match coal generation in 2025, and nuclear power also reached new global highs.

Global electricity demand is growing faster than it has in decades, climbing more than 3.5% each year through 2030. Electric vehicles, data centers, air conditioning, and industries switching to electric power are all driving this surge in what the IEA calls the "Age of Electricity."

Even coal is starting its decline. As renewable energy expands, coal generation will drop back to 2021 levels by 2030, with renewables officially overtaking it as the world's largest electricity source.

Here's something remarkable: despite electricity demand skyrocketing, global carbon emissions from power generation will stay roughly flat through 2030. Clean energy is growing fast enough to absorb almost all the new demand without adding more pollution.

The shift isn't just happening in wealthy nations. While developing economies are still the biggest drivers of electricity growth, advanced economies are seeing consumption rise again after 15 years of stagnation, accounting for one fifth of the increase expected by 2030.

The Ripple Effect

This transformation is creating opportunities beyond just cleaner air. Utility-scale battery storage installations have exploded in places like California, Germany, Texas, South Australia and the United Kingdom, helping stabilize electric grids and make room for even more renewable energy.

More than 2,500 gigawatts of new projects including solar farms, wind turbines, energy storage facilities and data centers are waiting to connect to power grids worldwide. New analysis shows that simply upgrading grid technology and modernizing regulations could unlock 1,600 gigawatts of this stalled capacity without building entirely new infrastructure.

The challenges are real. Annual grid investment needs to jump 50% by 2030 to keep pace with demand. Electricity prices have risen faster than incomes in many countries since 2019, and aging infrastructure faces growing threats from extreme weather and cybersecurity risks.

But the momentum toward clean energy is undeniable, and the world is finally electrifying fast enough to make the shift work.