-
Sodium-ion battery momentum grows, but challenges remain
…manufacturer and the first to power an electric vehicle using sodium‑ion batteries, also released an advanced sodium‑ion battery designed for electric cars last year.These investments are driven primarily by the goals of improving battery performance in cold climates and reducing exposure to lithium‑price volatility. Sodium‑ion batteries exhibit significantly better low‑temperature performance than lithium‑ion batteries, particularly lithium iron phosphate (LFP) chemistries. The latest generation of sodium-ion batteries can retain around 90% of nominal capacity at temperatures as low as -40 °C, and can operate at temperatures as high as 70 °C.In addition, sodium-ion batteries do not rely on lithium…
-
Electricity 2026
Global power demand growth continues to rise rapidly as the Age of Electricity gathers pace, supported by the increasing electrification of industry, transportation, and the buildings sectors. Growing consumption is also coming from some of the most dynamic segments of global economies, such as artificial intelligence (AI), data centres, and evolving technological innovations.Against this backdrop, Electricity 2026 – the IEA’s annual report on global electricity systems and markets – provides in-depth analysis of the recent trends and policy developments underpinning this new era. It includes forecasts for electricity demand, supply and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions for select countries, by…
- Executive summary
- Demand
- Supply
- Grids
-
+ 4 pages
-
Key Questions on Energy and AI
Following the publication of the IEA’s landmark Energy and AI report in 2025, this report examines how the energy and AI nexus has evolved amid surging investment in data centres and rapid advances in model capabilities. Drawing on fresh datasets and analysis, it explores where electricity demand is rising, how quickly grids and supply chains can respond, and what these shifts mean for energy security, affordability and sustainability.
-
Portugal
Portugal is supporting decarbonisation through a wide variety of measures, such as, coal-fired generation was phased out in 2021. Portugal is further developing its large hydropower fleet, including additional capacity of pumped hydro storage. Portugal is an international leader for integration of wind generation, and auctions are driving rapid deployment of PV and battery storage. Portugal is pushing for better electricity interconnections with the rest of Europe. Portugal’s National Energy and Climate Plan sets 2030 targets for emissions reductions, energy efficiency and renewable energy that aim to put the country a path to achieving cost effective carbon neutrality…
- Overview
- Energy mix
- Emissions
- Electricity
-
+ 5 pages
![Portugal Flag]()
-
Critical Mineral Traceability for Energy and Economic Security Executive summary
Risks to energy and economic security from high levels of concentration in critical mineral supply chains became a reality in 2025. All of the IEA’s six focus minerals – copper, lithium, nickel, cobalt, graphite and rare earth elements – are set to see strong demand growth, driven by their central role in energy and strategic industrial applications. Yet diversification has lagged demand, with processing and refining remaining highly concentrated. Risks from concentration materialised in 2025 as new export controls threatened the supply of materials critical to strategic and economically important industries.Recent years have seen a proliferation of new policies and…
-
Unlocking Ukraine’s Hydrogen Opportunity: A Roadmap The hydrogen opportunity
Highlights Ukraine has 18-38 Mtpa of technical renewable hydrogen potential, though economic constraints would result in lower potential. Most potential is in regions with scarce water resources and competition from other industrial activities. Domestic demand for use for steel and fertilisers could reach 2.2 Mtpa, if pre-invasion capacity is restored, and the government target has set a target of 7.2 Mtpa of production by 2050. Most hydrogen production projects proposed prior to the invasion are close to the border with the European Union.Ukraine has a technical potential for solar PV and onshore wind equivalent to 9‑14 times its pre…
-
Renewables and Low-Emissions Fuels
Renewables and Low-Emissions Fuels
-
India
Energy demand in India is growing rapidly with major implications for the global energy market. The Government of India has made remarkable progress in providing access to electricity and clean cooking while implementing a range of energy market reforms and integrating a high share of renewable energy sources into the grid. India, with a population of 1.36 billion and a fast growing economy, has seen its energy demand increasing rapidly as the country continues to urbanize and the manufacturing sector develops. This growing demand is met through various energy sources, with coal set to remain the largest source of…
- Overview
- Energy mix
- Emissions
- Electricity
-
+ 5 pages
![India Flag]()
-
Energy Efficiency 2025 Industry
How and where is energy used? Total final consumption in 2024 was over 450 EJ and has grown by around 25 EJ since 2019. Industry accounts for the largest share of this demand, at nearly 40%. Industry saw the strongest growth since 2019, contributing two-thirds of the total increase in global energy demand. The industrial sector can be divided into energy-intensive industries, responsible for three-quarters of total industrial demand, and less intensive industries, which are responsible for the remainder.In energy-intensive industries, energy is largely used in processes that require high-temperature heat, generally above 500°C. Efficiency improvements…
-
China
China’s growing energy needs are increasingly met by renewables, natural gas and electricity. The scale of China’s future electricity demand and the challenge of decarbonising the power supply help explain why global investment in electricity overtook that of oil and gas for the first time in 2016, and why electricity security is moving firmly up the policy agenda. That said, cost reductions for renewables are not sufficient on their own to secure efficient decarbonisation or reliable supply.
Between 2019 and 2024, China will account for 40% of global renewable capacity expansion, driven by improved system integration, lower curtailment…- Overview
- Energy mix
- Emissions
- Electricity
-
+ 5 pages
![China Flag]()
