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Trucks and Buses
Electrification of road transport goes beyond cars and the ambition is growing
Globally, almost 50 000 electric buses were sold in 2023, equating to 3% of total bus sales and bringing the global stock to approximately 635 000 in total. Several European countries (such as Belgium, Norway and Switzerland) and China achieved sales shares above 50% in 2023, and more than one-fifth of bus sales were electric in Canada, Chile, Finland, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal and Sweden.
Sales of electric trucks increased 35% in 2023 compared to 2022, meaning that total sales of electric trucks surpassed electric buses for…
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Solar PV
…is added annually through the end of this decade. Even so, low costs, faster permitting and broad social acceptance are set to continue to drive the accelerating adoption of solar PV. As a result, capacity is set to more than double between 2025 and 2030 compared with the 2019 to 2024 period.
A growing share of variable renewable sources such as solar also comes with challenges. Curtailment levels and instances of negative electricity prices have been increasing in many markets. A rapid increase in power system flexibility and grid investment is necessary to integrate future growth securely and cost-effectively.
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Heat Pumps
Heat pump sales stalled in 2023 as household budgets were squeezed
Global sales of heat pumps decreased by 3% in 2023 after two consecutive years of double-digit growth fuelled by the energy crisis. This slowdown reflects broader aversion to large-ticket purchases among consumers amid higher interest rates and inflation. Heat pumps are a large investment for households, and sales are particularly sensitive to borrowing costs and consumer sentiment.
At the same time, natural gas prices have mostly declined from their peaks in 2022, highlighting the need to tilt energy tariffs and taxes in favour of cleaner consumer choices…
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Nuclear Power
A new era for nuclear energy beckons as projects, policies and investments increase
As the world’s second-largest source of low-emissions electricity after hydropower, nuclear power today produces just under 10% of global electricity supply. Now, fresh momentum around the world has the potential to open a new era for nuclear energy.
Power generation from the global fleet of nearly 420 active nuclear reactors is set to reach a record high in 2025 as Japan restarts production, maintenance works are completed in France, and new reactors begin commercial operations in various markets, including China, Europe, India and Korea…
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Coal
…new all-time high in 2024 of around 8.8 billion tonnes, up 1.5% from 2023, as rising consumption in China, India, Indonesia and other emerging economies more than offset declines in advanced economies in Europe, North America and northeast Asia. However, several of those trends reversed in the first half of 2025 as demand declined in China and India; by contrast, coal use grew by around 10% in the United States. Even so, global coal demand is still set to increase slightly in 2025, followed by a marginal decline in 2026, bringing demand to just below 2024 levels.
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Smart Grids
Country and regional highlights
Several major economies have announced substantial new funding to modernise and digitalise their electricity grids
Deployment
Clean, reliable and resilient electricity systems need smart grids more than ever
Innovation
Digital infrastructure in electricity grids is growing
Investment
Investment in electricity grids is growing, with more ambitious network plans to facilitate the electrification of the economy and the integration of renewables
International collaboration
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Direct Air Capture
Country and regional highlights
The United States is leading the race on policy support for DAC
CO2 capture
DAC plants currently operate on a small scale, but with plans to grow
Energy
How can we capture CO2 directly from the atmosphere?
Innovation
A small but growing DAC technology portfolio is emerging
Supporting infrastructure
DAC deployment for carbon removal relies on the availability of low-carbon energy sources and CO2 storage
Policy
Government support for DAC is growing in major markets
Investment
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Natural Gas
The coming LNG wave is set to profoundly transform the global gas market
Global gas markets, which have been tight and volatile for several years, are set to undergo major changes by the end of this decade. The unfolding coming wave of liquefied natural gas (LNG) production capacity is set to rebalance the global gas market, enhance energy supply security and improve the affordability of natural gas.
About 300 billion cubic metres (bcm) per year of LNG export capacity – a record – is set to be added by 2030, primarily supported by liquefaction capacity additions in the United States and Qatar…
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Digitalisation
Country and regional highlights
Countries are increasingly preparing their infrastructure for digitalisation
Energy
Digital technologies can help increase energy efficiency and reduce emissions across the energy system
CO2 emissions
Digital technologies are directly responsible for around 2% of energy-related GHG emissions today
Technology deployment
Deployment of smart meters and connected devices continues to grow
Investment
Investment in digital grid technologies accelerated in 2022
Policy
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Demand Response
Country and regional highlights
Notable progress to advance demand response is being made
Activity
Demand response markets are expanding, but greater effort is needed to align with the Net Zero Scenario
Technology deployment
Enabling technologies offer high flexibility potential, although deployment is still lagging
Innovation
Innovative solutions and approaches are being tested to expand residential participation in demand response
Policy
International collaboration
Acknowledgements