Electricity 2026

Global demand for electricity continues to rise rapidly as the world enters the Age of Electricity, driven by the increasing electrification of transport, heating and factories, as well as by growing power consumption from cooling and data centres.

Against this backdrop, Electricity 2026 – the IEA’s annual report on global electricity systems and markets – provides in-depth analysis of recent trends and policy developments. It includes forecasts for electricity demand, supply and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions for select countries, by region and worldwide.

As electricity use grows, power systems will need greater flexibility to securely and cost‑effectively integrate an increasingly diverse mix of electricity generation sources while accommodating evolving demand patterns and technologies. Reflecting these challenges, this year’s report places a special focus on grids and flexibility. It also includes detailed updates on demand response and utility‑scale battery developments.