-
Cost of Capital Observatory
Tracking the cost of capital for clean energy projects in emerging and developing economies The Cost of Capital Observatory is an initiative from the IEA, the World Economic Forum, ETH Zurich and Imperial College London. The aim of the Observatory is to increase transparency in the energy sector and inspire investor confidence, especially in emerging and developing countries where data on financing costs is scarcer.The Observatory is divided into three sections:A Dashboard that provides free data on the cost of capital for energy projects in emerging and developing economies, updated with 2023 and 2024 data in July and…
-
Carbon-Free Electricity in G20 Countries
Status and the way forward In 2024, the Republic of Korea proposed the Carbon-Free Energy (CFE) Initiative to promote the use of technology-neutral, carbon-free energy to decarbonise the energy sector.In line with this initiative, Korea’s Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE) commissioned this report to analyse the status and prospects of carbon-free energy in the electricity sector in G20 countries, and to provide policy recommendations to advance its progress.The International Energy Agency (IEA) and the Korea Energy Economics Institute (KEEi) jointly produced this report.
-
Integrating Distributed Energy Resources in China
Lessons from international experience Like no other country in the world, the People’s Republic of China (hereafter, “China”) is witnessing rapid growth in distributed energy resources (DERs), including rooftop solar photovoltaics, battery storage and electric vehicle (EV) chargers. As China advances towards its carbon peaking and neutrality goals, these resources offer a unique opportunity to support a more flexible, efficient and resilient power system, provided their integration is well-managed.This report analyses recent trends in DER deployment across China and highlights the emerging challenges their growth poses for power system planning and operation, calling for renewed attention to…
-
Indicators Handbook for Just and Inclusive Energy Transitions
…institutional capacities and national policy landscapes. On the global stage, these indicators can also support countries as they develop their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and other climate and adaptation strategies. The Indicators Handbook for Just and Inclusive Energy Transitions was launched at the meeting of the Global Commission on 9 October 2025 in Durban, South Africa as part of the official programme of the G20 Energy Transitions Ministerial Meeting. It is an official South Africa G20 Presidency document, developed by the Global Commission on People-Centred Clean Energy Transitions in collaboration with the South Africa G20 Presidency Secretariat and its local partners.
-
Designing Energy Efficiency Policies to Enhance Affordability
…As part of this work, the IEA conducted a survey with G7 governments to better understand the obstacles they face. On the consumer side, major challenges include the landlord-tenant split incentive, high upfront costs and administrative complexity. On the supply side, governments identified skills shortages and difficulties in reaching underserved communities.The report analyses the affordability-focused energy efficiency policies of G7 countries. These include targeted financial support, simplified programme design, strong local delivery models, and better integration with workforce development. Embedding affordability into energy efficiency policy is critical to reducing energy poverty and ensuring people-centred energy transitions.
-
Financing the ASEAN Power Grid
…how these assets are financed in practice and what must change to make them bankable for a wide set of potential investors.By quantifying total investment needs and potential sources of finance, identifying key barriers and offering clear, actionable recommendations, this report aims to equip policy makers, regulators, utilities, financiers and private‑sector stakeholders with the guidance needed to accelerate the financing and implementation of the ASEAN Power Grid. This analysis has been supported by the Clean Energy Transitions Programme, the IEA’s flagship initiative to transform the world’s energy system to achieve a secure and sustainable future for all.
-
Land-Use Competition between Biodiversity and Net Zero Goals
A case study of Canada Meeting global targets for energy, climate, and biodiversity conservation has major implications for land use. To ensure that the tripling of renewable energy capacity by 2030 aligns with the goal of protecting 30% of the planet’s land and water by the same date, robust mechanisms that direct solar and wind projects away from the world’s most biodiverse areas are needed. To address the potential impacts of renewable development on biodiversity, the IEA developed the Renewable Energy and Land-Use Model (REALM), which identifies areas of overlap between renewable projects, critical mineral mining, and…
-
Rare Earth Elements
…the current state of the rare earth elements market, examining demand and supply dynamics and key technological developments. It analyses the full value chain from mining to permanent magnet production, evaluates vulnerabilities across supply chains, and highlights the implications of potential supply disruptions. Based on these analyses, the report outlines eight targeted policy recommendations that can pave the way for more secure, diversified and resilient rare earth element supply chains.The analysis is founded on the work of the IEA Critical Minerals Security Programme and aims to inform the discussions at the G7 meetings under the French Presidency in 2026.
-
The Value of Demand Flexibility
Benefits beyond balancing This policy brief, developed under the International Energy Agency’s Digital Demand-Driven Electricity Networks (3DEN) Initiative, examines the value of demand flexibility as a core component of modern electricity systems, with a strong emphasis on its role in improving energy efficiency. As electricity demand grows and power systems become more electrified, decentralised and renewable-rich, managing when and how electricity is used is increasingly as important as expanding supply.The brief sets out a clear framework for understanding demand flexibility and highlights its contribution to an efficiency-first approach to power system planning and operation. By…
-
Artificial intelligence and EVs
GEVO 2026 - Chapter 8 Progress in AI and computing power is disproportionately benefiting EVs, particularly for automated driving and integrated vehicle control. Sensors and chips integrate well with the stable, high-voltage power supply of EV batteries. At the same time, the benefits of AI and increased computing power are not exclusive to EVs. AI‑enabled energy management systems are increasingly used to optimise hybrid vehicles, and AI techniques are accelerating the design, testing and optimisation of all vehicles. Advances in AI underpin progress in autonomous vehicles Just two decades ago, state-of-the-art autonomous vehicles were confined to test…