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Grid investments
Multiple benefits of Energy Efficiency 2025 Energy efficiency provides multiple benefits. This page explores grid investments. Why is energy efficiency important for grid investments? As we enter the Age of Electricity, global electricity demand is rising rapidly – and so is the demand for the expansion of electricity grids. Energy efficiency can help close the gap between supply and demand, but often at a lower cost, and more quickly, than new generation and grid expansion. Key facts On average, energy efficiency costs less than half the amount it would cost to build new generation capacity and grid infrastructure, per unit of…
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Energy Efficiency Policy Toolkit
The Energy Efficiency Policy Toolkit is an interactive online tool that has been updated and expanded ahead of the 11th Annual Global Conference on Energy Efficiency in Montreal, Canada. It aims to support governments in designing and implementing effective energy efficiency measures by combining policies across three core pillars: regulation, information and incentives. It also features a wide range of case studies, offering practical insights into the successful implementation of energy efficiency policies across diverse national and sectoral contexts.The Toolkit builds on earlier IEA work to advance energy efficiency policy. In 2022, the IEA introduced Policy Packages for Energy…
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Best Practices and Insights to Expand Clean Energy Access and Adoption
…enabling infrastructure, and investment that support long-term behavioural change.This report examines how policies, public engagement and sectoral transformation can create conditions for sustainable lifestyles that follow low-emissions practices and are resilient and inclusive. It draws on international evidence, including workshop discussions, IEA analysis and a wide range of global case studies, to identify key impacts and lessons learned from evidence and practice. It highlights how behaviour change is most effective when supported by coherent policy frameworks, targeted measures addressing affordability and structural changes across sectors such as buildings, transport and appliances. By identifying good practices and practical…
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Scaling Up Demand Flexibility
From peak management to efficient system operation This report has been developed as part of the International Energy Agency (IEA) Digital Demand-Driven Electricity Networks (3DEN) initiative to examine the growing importance of demand flexibility in electricity systems amid rising demand, increased renewable energy integration and the electrification of power systems. Case studies in chronological order to examine the changing role of demand flexibility over time from South Africa (2025), Thailand (2030) and Ireland (2035) demonstrate how demand flexibility improves reliability, reduces costs, supports renewables integration and manages network constraints. To realise these benefits, the report emphasises the role for…
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Outlook for Biogas and Biomethane
…a low-emissions substitute for natural gas, the use of biomethane has been targeted across a wide range of sectors, including power, industry, transport and buildings. This report presents a first-of-its-kind global geographical analysis of the untapped potential of biogas and biomethane from agriculture, municipal waste and forestry residues. Using detailed geospatial and production cost data, it assesses the potential, costs and suitability of over 30 types of feedstocks in more than 5 million locations worldwide.More broadly, the report also analyses the current state of play of the biogas and biomethane sector, reviewing today’s policies…
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Scaling Up Transition Finance
…meaningful reductions in their environmental footprint often do not receive sufficient financial support. Currently, finance is drawn heavily to certain “green” assets and activities. While vital, these investments alone cannot deliver all the changes needed to cut global emissions, especially in areas where clean technologies are not yet commercially available or cost-competitive. This is where transition finance comes in: it can help emissions-intensive countries, companies and sectors shift over time towards sustainable practices that are aligned with long-term climate and development goals.In this new report, the International Energy Agency (IEA) provides analyses to map the landscape…
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The State of Energy Innovation 2026
…spending, venture capital flows, patenting and policy, as well as providing an update on progress towards the 18 IEA Races to First in energy innovation. This data-driven approach informs policy makers, industry and other stakeholders on the state of energy innovation worldwide and the importance of sustaining innovation momentum over the long term.The report finds that the context for energy innovation is tilting towards competitiveness and security. Many of the innovation-relevant policies launched in 2025 promote technological strength for economic competitiveness and energy security. The share of all patents that are related to energy is growing, and…
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Tracking SDG7: The Energy Progress Report, 2025
Tracking SDG7: The Energy Progress Report, 2025 Since its inception in 2018, Tracking SDG 7: The Energy Progress Report has become the global reference for information on progress toward the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG 7) of the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The aim of SDG 7 is to “ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all.” This report therefore summarizes global progress on electricity access, clean cooking, renewable energy, energy efficiency, and international cooperation to advance SDG 7. It presents updated statistics for each of the indicators and provides policy insights on…
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Integrating Solar and Wind in Southeast Asia
Status and outlook for secure and efficient strategies Southeast Asia is experiencing one of the fastest electricity demand growths globally, with consumption set to double by 2050. While renewable deployment has accelerated in recent years, the region’s growing reliance on imported fossil-fuels for electricity generation, exposes countries to volatile fuel prices, potential supply disruptions and rising emissions. At the same time, the region possesses vast and diverse renewable resource potential. Variable renewable energy (VRE) - solar and wind - are now among the most cost-competitive generation options and are playing an increasingly important role in the region’s power…
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Nickel
Outlook for key energy transition minerals This report provides an outlook for demand and supply for key energy minerals including copper, lithium, nickel, cobalt, graphite and rare earth elements. Demand projections encompass both key energy technologies and other uses under different IEA Scenarios. Supply projections are based on a detailed review of all announced projects. They show how today's geographical concentration evolves over time, for both mining and refining and how expected supply compares with primary supply requirements.