Solar Acceleration, EV Growth & The Future Grid
Solar and storage are reshaping electricity systems faster than many forecasts expected, while combustion engine vehicles continue their long decline. From the rapid growth of renewable power and EV adoption to coal’s weakening position and Europe’s electrification opportunity, this week’s stories highlight how quickly the global energy system is changing.
☀️ Solar and Storage Are Scaling Faster Than Expected
BloombergNEF projects solar will become the world’s largest electricity source by 2032, while global battery storage capacity could expand 17-fold by 2050. Analysts increasingly argue that traditional energy models continue to underestimate how quickly modular technologies like solar, wind, and batteries can scale.
🚗 Combustion Engine Car Sales Peaked Years Ago
Global sales of petrol and diesel cars peaked back in 2017 and have been declining since. Meanwhile, electric vehicle sales have surged, more than doubling between 2022 and 2025 as transport electrification accelerates worldwide.
🏭 Coal Plant Construction Rose—But Coal Generation Fell
New coal plant approvals reached a 10-year high in 2025, largely driven by China and India. Yet despite more capacity being added, global coal electricity generation still declined as renewables continued to displace fossil fuel power in major markets.
⚡ Europe’s Gas Challenge May Be Easier to Solve Than Expected
Most EU gas demand comes from buildings, industry, and power generation—areas where electric alternatives are increasingly commercially viable. The main challenge now is scaling deployment rather than waiting for new technology breakthroughs.
🌍 China Now Uses One-Third of Global Electricity
China’s share of global electricity demand has surged from under 10% in the early 2000s to roughly one-third today. Meanwhile, North America continues to lead among major economies in electricity use per person due to energy-intensive lifestyles and infrastructure.