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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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The Value of Demand Flexibility
…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 shifting or adjusting electricity use in response to system conditions, demand flexibility…
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Electricity 2026
…It includes forecasts for electricity demand, supply and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions for select countries, by region and worldwide. This year the forecast period has been expanded to five years, 2026-2030, compared with the previous three-year outlook.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. This year’s report has a special focus on these challenges with chapters on grids and flexibility. It also includes detailed updates on demand response and utility-scale battery developments…
- Executive summary
- Demand
- Supply
- Grids
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+ 4 pages
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Electricity Market Design
Building on strengths, addressing gaps Electricity markets play a central role in balancing supply and demand, guiding operational decisions and shaping investment outcomes. As systems change with higher shares of variable generation, greater decentralisation and evolving patterns of electricity use, the ability of market designs to deliver secure and affordable electricity has never been more critical. If market arrangements do not keep pace with these developments, the functioning of electricity systems could become more uncertain and more costly.This report provides a cross-regional assessment of how wholesale electricity markets and their complementary policy mechanisms are performing today. We find…
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The Future of Electricity in the Middle East and North Africa
…global electricity demand growth. The region’s climate, characterised by extreme heat and water scarcity, implies that reliable and resilient electricity systems are integral to meeting soaring demand for cooling and water desalination. This outlook provides an unprecedented regional overview of demand patterns for cooling and water desalination including country-level data.How countries across the region meet this increased demand will have profound implications for the region’s economic future but also for global energy markets. This report also explores the challenges and opportunities to sustainably meet electricity demand growth by exploring the potential of both demand and supply…
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Grid investments
…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 energy.Energy efficiency measures can typically be deployed in under a year, while generation and transmission projects require between one and seven years to build on average, depending on technology, or over a decade for nuclear. Key analysis IEA analysis of nine major regions shows that increasing electricity generation and grid capacity…
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Energy security
…reducing peak demand. For instance, more efficient air conditioners in India could lower the impact of heatwaves on peak demand by 20% by 2030 and help reduce the risk of blackouts. Key analysis Energy efficiency policies in different sectors have been effective in reducing fossil fuel imports. In the European Union, the strongest reduction was in gas imports, driven by strong energy efficiency improvements in the industrial sector. Meanwhile, in Japan the strongest reductions were in oil imports, due to some of the most stringent fuel economy standards both for passenger and commercial vehicles. A closer look at electricity security…
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Integrating Solar and Wind in Southeast Asia
…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 sector. VRE presents an opportunity for the region to meet rising demand…
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Integrating Variable Renewable Energy in Kenya
…renewable energy success, Kenya is now focused on managing a secure and reliable electricity system. With nearly 90% of the generation mix derived from renewable sources and electricity access rising from 37% in 2013 to 79% in 2025, the country has established itself as a regional leader in energy development.Integrating Variable Renewable Energy in Kenya explores how Kenya can strengthen its power system amid rising shares of variable renewable energy (VRE). The report identifies Kenya’s system to be operating in Phase 3 of the IEA’s VRE integration framework, where variability increasingly influences system operations. It explores the…
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Electricity Mid-Year Update 2025
…continues to grow, with all set to reach new milestones.This mid-year update follows the extensive Electricity 2025 report released in February, examining the latest trends and the outlook for the remainder of the year. It includes updated data for 2024 along with new forecasts for 2025 and 2026 covering areas such as global electricity demand, supply by fuel type, and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from electricity generation. The report also analyses the latest developments in major economies including China, the European Union, India and the United States and provides updated tracking of wholesale electricity prices across markets worldwide.
