Global Energy Demand Surges in 2024, Driven by Rising Electricity Use
Global energy demand grew significantly in 2024, rising by 2.2%, nearly double the average growth rate of the past decade, according to the International Energy Agency’s (IEA) latest Global Energy Review. The increase was primarily driven by a sharp rise in electricity consumption, with renewables and natural gas meeting most of the additional demand.
📈 Rising Energy Consumption Across Economies
Emerging and developing economies accounted for more than 80% of the growth in energy demand. China’s energy consumption increased by less than 3%, marking a slowdown compared to previous years. Meanwhile, advanced economies, which had seen declining energy use in recent years, recorded a nearly 1% rise in demand.
The power sector was the largest contributor to the overall increase in energy demand. Global electricity consumption rose by 4.3%—almost twice the annual average of the past decade—adding nearly 1,100 terawatt-hours. Factors driving this surge included record global temperatures, higher cooling demand, industrial activity, increased transport electrification, and growing electricity use in data centres and artificial intelligence applications.
🌍 Renewables and Nuclear Cover the Majority of Growth
Renewable energy sources accounted for most of the additional electricity demand in 2024. Around 700 gigawatts of new renewable capacity was installed, marking the 22nd consecutive year of record additions. Nuclear power also saw its highest level of capacity growth in three decades. In total, renewables and nuclear energy provided 80% of the increase in global electricity generation, reaching 40% of total global electricity output for the first time.
Natural gas also played a significant role in meeting rising demand. Gas consumption increased by 115 billion cubic metres (bcm), up 2.7% from the previous year.
⛽ Fossil Fuel Demand and Emissions Trends
Oil demand grew at a slower pace of 0.8% in 2024. The share of oil in total energy demand fell below 30% for the first time, continuing its long-term decline from a peak of 46% in the 1970s. The rapid expansion of electric vehicles contributed to this trend, with EV sales rising by over 25% and accounting for one in five cars sold globally.
Coal consumption increased by 1%, half the growth rate seen in the previous year. The IEA report highlighted that heatwaves in China and India accounted for over 90% of the rise in coal use, underscoring how extreme weather events are shaping energy demand patterns.
♻️ Emissions Growth Slows as Clean Energy Expands
The IEA report found that the adoption of clean energy technologies helped limit the rise in energy-related carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. Global CO2 emissions increased by 0.8% in 2024, reaching 37.8 billion tonnes. The deployment of solar, wind, nuclear, electric cars, and heat pumps since 2019 has prevented 2.6 billion tonnes of CO2 emissions annually, equivalent to 7% of global emissions.
Emissions from advanced economies declined by 1.1%, reaching 10.9 billion tonnes—levels last seen 50 years ago. However, emissions growth continued in emerging and developing economies, particularly outside China. While China’s emissions growth slowed, the country’s per-capita emissions are now 16% higher than those of advanced economies and nearly twice the global average.
Outlook for the Future
IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol stated that the findings highlight the evolving global energy landscape. “Electricity use is growing rapidly, pulling overall energy demand along with it to such an extent that it is enough to reverse years of declining energy consumption in advanced economies,” he said. “The strong expansion of solar, wind, nuclear power, and EVs is increasingly loosening the links between economic growth and emissions.”
The report underscores the accelerating shift towards low-emissions energy sources, though it also points to ongoing challenges in managing global energy demand growth while reducing reliance on fossil fuels.