Global energy demand growth slowed in 2025, according to the International Energy Agency (‘IEA’). It reached 1.3% while solar PV became the largest contributor to global energy supply growth for the first time.
Electricity demand increased by around 3%, more than twice the rate of overall energy demand growth, the IEA said.
Solar PV accounted for more than 25% of the increase in global energy supply, followed by natural gas at 17%, the agency added.
Renewables and nuclear together met nearly 60% of growth in energy demand, with their power generation exceeding total growth in electricity demand.
Global oil demand rose by 0.7% as electric vehicle uptake constrained road fuel consumption.
Electric car sales increased by over 20% to more than 20 million units, representing around one in four new car sales worldwide.
Coal demand growth slowed overall, with declines in China offset by increases in the United States due to gas-to-coal switching.
“Global energy demand continued to increase in 2025 against a complex economic and geopolitical backdrop, with one trend unmistakeable: the expanding electrification of economies,” said Fatih Birol, executive director.
“Electricity consumption is growing much faster than overall energy demand – and one energy source is growing much faster than any other.”
“Solar PV accounted for over a quarter of all of the world’s energy demand growth – more than any other source, for the first time – followed right after by natural gas.”
Global energy-related CO2 emissions rose by around 0.4% in 2025, with declines in China and flat emissions in India contrasting with increases in advanced economies.
Solar PV generation increased by 600 terawatt-hours in 2025, marking the largest structural rise ever recorded for any electricity generation technology in a single year.
Battery storage was the fastest-growing power sector technology, with around 110GW of new capacity added during the year.
More than 12GW of nuclear power reactors began construction in 2025 amid renewed momentum for nuclear projects.