-
Global Energy Review 2026 Key findings
All major energy fuels and technologies grew in 2025 – but at very different rates. Overall global energy demand growth slowed to 1.3%, just below the average for the previous decade. Slower economic growth and slower growth in energy-intensive industries in some regions, lower cooling demand, and faster efficiency improvements all contributed to slower demand growth.Solar PV, the largest single source of growth, met more than 25% of higher demand, followed by natural gas, which contributed 17%. This was the first time on record that a modern renewable source contributed the largest share of global energy demand growth…
- Key findings
- Global trends
- Oil
- Natural gas
-
+ 9 pages
-
Global Energy Review 2026 Natural gas
Natural gas demand growth slowed in 2025 Following a strong increase of 2.8% in 2024, global gas demand growth slowed significantly in 2025 amid weaker industrial activity and relatively high spot liquefied natural gas (LNG) prices in the first half of the year. Demand increased by 1% in 2025, translating to an increase of around 40 bcm (or 1.4 EJ) in absolute terms. Incremental demand was largely concentrated in the United States and the European Union – where it was supported by colder winter weather – and in the Middle East, where gas use in the power sector grew rapidly…
- Key findings
- Global trends
- Oil
- Natural gas
-
+ 9 pages
-
Electricity 2026 Flexibility
Evolving generation and demand patterns reshape power system needs The Age of Electricity is underpinned by rising investments in new resources. These include growing converter-based variable solar PV and wind, battery storage systems, as well as spatially and temporally concentrated demand from EVs, heat pumps and large loads like data centres. Combined with the expansion and upgrade of transmission and distribution grids, substantial increases in the flexibility of power systems are required for secure and cost-effective integration of generation, load and storage technologies that characterise this new era.Last year’s report, Electricity 2025, focused on measures to…
- Executive summary
- Demand
- Supply
- Grids
-
+ 4 pages
-
Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe holds large coal reserves and production is set to increase. The country has also significantly untapped its hydropower potential, even though the share of hydropower generation is gradually decreasing.
- Overview
- Energy mix
- Emissions
- Electricity
-
+ 5 pages
![Zimbabwe Flag]()
-
Outlook for Biogas and Biomethane
A global geospatial assessment Biogases play an important and growing role in energy systems. Produced locally using organic waste, biogas and biomethane can contribute to energy security, waste management, emissions reductions and agricultural development.In recent years, demand for biomethane – also known as “renewable natural gas” – has grown rapidly in many countries, supported by dozens of new policies. As 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…
-
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…
-
State of Energy Policy 2026 Government energy spending
Government energy spending declined as affordability measures were rolled back after 2022 crisis, though investment support continues above historical levels The energy sector has historically accounted for a relatively small share of government budgets, averaging around 1% in most countries. Over the past five years, however, government spending on energy has doubled compared with 2019 levels, reaching around 1.4% of total direct government expenditure in 2025. Levels have varied by country, with some reaching up to 5% of general expenditure. Although spending fell from its peak in 2023, disbursements in 2024 and 2025 remained significantly higher than in the…
-
Namibia
Most of Namibia’s electricity is generated by hydropower. The country is also one of the ten-largest uranium resource-holders in the world and provides 8.2% of global production. The country has stated its interest in introducing nuclear power into its domestic mix.
- Overview
- Energy mix
- Emissions
- Electricity
-
+ 5 pages
![Namibia Flag]()
-
Prospects for Natural Gas Certification Executive summary
Governments and industry are working to improve resource efficiency and reduce emissions from natural gas supply – from both domestic production and imports – to help deliver on their climate goals, while also looking to improve energy security. One emerging approach is natural gas certification, which can help buyers make more informed decisions by providing independently verified greenhouse gas (GHG) intensity data at select stages of the supply chain, from production and processing to storage and transport, but excluding final consumption. This can support the implementation of best practices throughout the entire supply chain, and help importing countries and regions better understand…
-
Breakthrough Agenda Report 2025 Steel
State of the transition Emissions Total CO2 emissions remain largely unchanged from recent years, while direct CO2 emissions intensity has seen an uptick since 2021. Both must fall in the coming years to get on track with the IEA’s Net Zero Emissions by 2050 Scenario (NZE Scenario). Cost Blast furnace-basic oxygen furnace (BF-BOF) routes make up about 70% of global steel production today.Hydrogen direct reduced iron electric arc furnace (H2 DRI-EAF) routes are emerging as a preferred low-emissions option in certain regions. Early commercial plants using 100% hydrogen blends are estimated to cost 50…
- Executive summary
- Power
- Hydrogen
- Road transport
-
+ 4 pages
