Renewables Supplied Record 32% of Global Electricity in 2024 — Ember Report

Renewable energy sources powered a record 32% of the world’s electricity in 2024, according to a report from energy think tank Ember. The milestone comes as global electricity demand rose by 4%, driven by surging use from data centers, artificial intelligence, electric vehicles, and heatwave-related cooling needs.

The latest edition of Ember’s Global Electricity Review showed that wind, solar, and hydro combined added 858 terawatt hours (TWh) to the grid—surpassing the total electricity consumption of both the UK and France combined.

Bruce Douglas, CEO of the Global Renewables Alliance, highlighted the industry’s resilience despite economic and geopolitical pressures, stating the renewables sector continues to grow in both capacity and importance.

The report also noted that electricity use from AI, data centers, EVs, and heat pumps accounted for 0.7% of the global demand increase, with another 0.7% — about 208 TWh — added due to intensified cooling demand during last year’s heatwaves.

While coal remained the leading power source globally, its share dropped to 34% from 36% in 2023. Natural gas held steady, contributing 22% to global electricity generation.

Ember analyst Euan Graham added that amid rising geopolitical tensions and U.S.-China trade disputes triggered by President Donald Trump’s tariffs, energy security concerns could push more countries to invest in homegrown renewable energy, especially wind and solar.