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Hydroelectricity
Hydropower is the largest source of renewable energy today, but that could change soon
Hydro is currently the third largest source of power generation worldwide after coal and natural gas. In 2024, it generated around 4 500 terawatt-hours of electricity, or 14% of the global total.
More than 150 gigawatts (GW) of new hydro capacity is set to come online by the end of the decade, mostly in emerging and developing economies. As a result, electricity generation from hydropower is expected to increase by 7% between 2025 and 2030. However, its share in global electricity generation is poised to…
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Pledges to Progress 2025 Recommendations
The case for robust operational emissions reduction – backed by public disclosure to foster progress, transparency and accountability – has never been stronger. The increased regulatory and policy focus on reducing methane and flaring emissions from oil and gas production, the degree of cost-effectiveness in pursuing reductions, and the uptake among industry, investors and others suggest that all stakeholders are well aware of the opportunity for climate mitigation and operational efficiency.In many cases, large improvements in company scores could be achieved with better reporting and increased transparency, especially since companies are likely to be doing more than they are disclosing…
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Renewables 2025
Analysis and forecasts to 2030 Renewables 2025 Renewables 2025 is the IEA's main annual report on the sector. It presents the latest forecasts and analysis, based on recent policy and market developments, while also exploring key challenges and opportunities facing the sector.This year’s edition provides forecasts for the deployment of renewable energy technologies in electricity, transport and heat through 2030. It also examines notable developments in key areas of the sector, including policy changes, manufacturing trends, and the financial health of different parts of the industry.
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World Energy Outlook 2025 Regional insights
Diverse priorities, diverse pathways This chapter explores energy sector trends and priorities in countries and regions that cumulatively account for around 90% of the world’s population, GDP and energy demand. Priorities, objectives and national circumstances vary widely between and within regions, but two trends that are visible in most parts of the world are a rise in the electrification of end-uses, and a rise in the share of renewables in electricity generation. Energy trends in advanced economies are shaped by the structure of their economies, and by high average incomes and rates of vehicle and appliance ownership. Overall…
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Global Methane Tracker 2025 Key findings
Energy-related methane emissions have still not reached a definitive peak The fossil fuel sector is responsible for nearly one-third of methane emissions from human activity today. Record production of oil, gas and coal, combined with limited mitigation efforts, has kept emissions above 120 million tonnes (Mt) annually. Abandoned wells and mines – included in this year’s Global Methane Tracker for the first time – contributed around 8 Mt to these emissions in 2024. Bioenergy production and consumption results in a further 20 Mt of methane, largely from the incomplete combustion of traditional biomass used in cooking and heating in developing economies…
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Ensuring a Skilled Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Workforce
This report examines employment trends, skills needs, and skills gaps across renewable energy, grids, and energy efficiency. It highlights the increased demand for skilled workers in these sectors and the need to address skilled labour shortages. The report identifies barriers which are currently hindering energy education and training. It also discusses policy measures aimed at attracting more people to the renewable energy and energy efficiency sectors and providing them with the necessary training. The report includes new IEA analysis on online job postings in renewable energy and energy efficiency, and IEA modelling on energy employment from 2024 as the last…
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Ramping up Heat Pumps in Moldova: A Roadmap Executive summary
Moldova’s new National Energy and Climate Plan (NECP) lays out the country’s ambition to improve energy efficiency, reduce fossil fuel demand and decarbonise its economy. Buildings account for more than half of Moldova’s final energy consumption, with three-quarters of that used for space and water heating. Currently, these needs are met chiefly by imported natural gas and domestic biomass – two fuel sources that suffer from availability and sustainability issues. Heat pump technology offers Moldova an effective means of accelerating the transition in building heating. This roadmap discusses the status of Moldova’s heating sector, the potential…
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Outlook for Biogas and Biomethane Key findings
Biogases are a hidden solution to many of today’s energy security and sustainability challenges. They turn waste into sustainable, low-emissions fuels. The attraction of biogases lies in the integration of energy, environment, waste and emissions policies and targets. Biogas can be used directly as heat by households and industry, and to produce electricity. Biomethane, which is an upgraded form of biogas, is a locally sourced, drop-in substitute for natural gas. This report assesses the global potential and costs of developing biogas and biomethane using a first-of-a-kind geospatial analysis. It provides detailed country- and region…
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Energy Technology Perspectives 2026
The 2026 edition of Energy Technology Perspectives is published against the backdrop of a fast-changing policy and technology landscape. Governments are working to establish secure and resilient supply chains for clean energy technologies while advancing key energy policy goals such as energy security, affordability and economic competitiveness, as well as climate and other environmental goals. In a landscape that is constantly evolving, this report aims to deliver timely insights into the status and outlook of technology deployment, manufacturing, project pipelines, investments, and trade of different energy technologies and materials. The aim is to provide useful analysis that can inform…
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Sodium-ion battery momentum grows, but challenges remain
batteries commentary sodium batteries Recent technological advances and investment announcements suggest dynamics are shifting for sodium-ion batteries Sodium-ion batteries are emerging as a new player in battery markets, offering opportunities to diversify battery chemistries and supply chains at a time of rising global demand for electric vehicles and energy storage. Developed in laboratories since the early 1980s, sodium-ion batteries operate on the same fundamental principles as lithium‑ion batteries – which currently dominate the market – yet their path to commercialisation has been markedly slower.While lithium-ion batteries entered commercial use in the 1990s – with the first electric vehicles…