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The State of Energy Innovation 2025
A comprehensive assessment of recent progress and emerging challenges in energy technology innovation Global energy innovation is evolving rapidly, shaped by technological advances, increased public and private investment, and a shifting international landscape. This report provides a comprehensive assessment of recent progress and emerging challenges in energy technology innovation, drawing on over 150 innovation highlights and a survey of practitioners across 34 countries. It analyses trends in public and corporate R&D spending, venture capital flows, and technology demonstration efforts, highlighting an increasingly international landscape, with emerging economies making strides alongside traditional leaders. The report documents the increasing focus on…
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Best Practices and Insights to Expand Clean Energy Access and Adoption
This report was commissioned by the European Commission to serve as a technical repository of analysis and evidence-based practices in support of the Campaign on Sustainable Lifestyles, Fairness and Access to Clean Energy Technologies. The analysis presented draws on discussions and research shared during the Widening Participation in Clean Energy workshop held in Brussels, contributions presented at the official all-member meetings of the Campaign on Sustainable Lifestyles, and the IEA’s analytical work in areas such as people-centred clean energy transitions, affordability, energy efficiency and clean energy access.This work is organised into three chapters, each corresponding…
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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…
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Energy Efficiency Policy Toolkit
To accelerate action on energy efficiency, the IEA created the Policy Packages for Energy Efficiency in 2022 to support governments in designing and implementing effective energy efficiency measures by combining policies across three core pillars: regulation, information, and incentives.The IEA then developed an Energy Efficiency Policy Toolkit that integrates the Policy Package for Energy Efficiency, with concrete examples for each end-use sector. The Toolkit shares strategic principles to guide policy makers to enhance and expand their energy efficiency policies and programmes.Building on this foundation, the Energy Efficiency Policy Toolkit, updated on the occasion of the 10th Annual Global Conference on Energy Efficiency in…
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Coal Mid-Year Update 2025
…Today, global coal consumption, power generation, production and trade are all at record levels.In many countries, coal continues to be the leading source of electricity generation, helping to meet growing energy needs. These trends carry major implications for energy security, affordability and sustainability, especially as coal remains the single largest contributor to energy-related carbon dioxide emissions. While the large majority of the world’s coal use is concentrated in Asia, particularly China, consumption in Europe and North America remains considerable. Coal’s influence therefore remains global in both energy and climate discussions.The International Energy Agency’s 2025…
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Responding to Satellite Notifications from the Methane Alert and Response System
…and artificial intelligence) to provide free notifications of large methane emission events to governments and companies.MARS satellite alerts provide rapid and actionable information that can enable quick mitigation action. Swift action on major leaks or releases detected via MARS can deliver significant benefits for governments, potentially reducing gas waste, boosting sales by domestic companies and improving national energy security while simultaneously decreasing air pollution, minimising local health impacts and increasing productivity. More broadly, it may allow governments to achieve national emissions reduction objectives. While the response rate to MARS notifications has increased since the system’s introduction in 2023…
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Gaining an Edge
The Role of Energy Efficiency in Enhancing Competitiveness Energy efficiency delivers more than energy savings and emission reductions – it can also improve the competitiveness of countries and firms. From increased profitability to job creation, energy efficiency helps firms compete amid high costs, growing demand, and rising trade pressures. In today’s global context, energy efficiency is not only a matter of energy policy, but also of economic policy.The report analyses historical progress in industrial energy efficiency and its role in enhancing industrial competitiveness. It includes comparisons of firm-level energy efficiency, identifying performance gaps and opportunities for further improvement. Drawing…
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The Future of Electricity in the Middle East and North Africa
Electricity demand in the MENA region This study analyses electricity demand in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region and its evolution to 2035. MENA has long been a cornerstone of global energy supply. But the region is fast becoming a central character in the story of global energy demand, particularly that of electricity use. Rapid population growth, urbanisation, and rising temperatures are driving up electricity demand. Since 2000, MENA has become one of the top contributors to global electricity demand growth. The region’s climate, characterised by extreme heat and water scarcity, implies that reliable and resilient electricity…
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Energy Transition Review for Enhancing Co-operation
…understand the particular challenges these partners face in their energy transition and to provide a platform for co-operation among the AZEC partners. The report seeks to build a shared understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing the Philippine power sector, and to identify practical pathways that can help to strengthen its energy security, improve affordability and enable the country to achieve its long-term clean energy goals.This review has been prepared in collaboration with the Department of Energy (DOE) of the Philippines, the Economic Research Institute for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and East Asia (ERIA)…
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Integrating Solar and Wind in Southeast Asia
…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 sector. VRE presents an opportunity for the region to meet rising demand, support energy security, affordability and climate goals. However, integrating higher shares of VRE can present technical and regulatory challenges that require changes to system operation and planning. This report provides a comprehensive assessment of the readiness of Southeast Asia’s power sector to integrate higher shares of…
