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Economic growth
Multiple benefits of Energy Efficiency 2025 Energy efficiency provides multiple benefits. This page explores economic growth. Why is energy efficiency important for economic growth? Energy efficiency allows countries to generate more economic activity using the same amount of energy. It is also linked to increased labour productivity and other economic benefits. Key facts Compared with 2000, today’s global economy produces 36% more GDP per unit of energy. Energy efficiency progress over the last 20 years means that close to an extra USD 50 trillion can today be produced using the same amount of energy. This energy efficiency bonus is equivalent to…
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Czechia 2025 Executive summary
The Czech Republic (Czechia) aims to phase out coal at an almost unprecedented pace. The IEA commends Czechia for such an ambitious phase-out. Coal is a major fuel source in Czechia, currently providing more than one-third of Czechia’s electricity and half of its district heating. Coal-fired plants are slated for retirement by 2033, but economic drivers may close them earlier. This would be an extraordinary transformation of Czechia’s energy system. The transition from its fossil fuel legacy can be a springboard to building a vibrant clean energy economy. But it is not without challenges, such…
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Electricity Market Design Executive summary
Electricity systems are changing fast, and market design must evolve with them Electricity systems are undergoing rapid structural change, increasing the need for market frameworks that keep pace with evolving operational and investment requirements and possibilities. Electricity is central to modern economies, and its role is expanding as consumption patterns shift, digitalisation accelerates, energy systems decentralise, and variable resources grow. Across major regions, these trends are increasing the complexity of real-time operations and reshaping investment dynamics. Short-term and seasonal flexibility needs are projected to grow faster than demand over the next decade, while electrification in many sectors is…
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Amani Abou-Zeid
Commissioner for Energy and Infrastructure, African Union. Dr Amani Abou-Zeid has been the African Union Commissioner for Infrastructure, Energy, ICT and Tourism since January 2016. The African Union is a continental body consisting of 55 member states. Dr Abou-Zeid previously served in leadership roles at organisations such as the African Development Bank and United Nations Development Programme.
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World Energy Outlook 2022 Energy security in energy transitions
Energy security is not just about having uninterrupted access to energy, but also about securing energy supplies at an affordable price. It is a topic of perennial importance, and is once again high on the policy agenda as a result of the global energy crisis sparked by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The surge in energy prices has been on a large enough scale to worsen considerably the global economic outlook, causing difficulties for households and industrial operations alike, and leading many governments to recalibrate their policy priorities. Energy transitions offer the chance to build a safer and more sustainable…
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Renewables 2021 Renewable electricity
Forecast summary Renewable capacity additions are set to grow faster than ever in the next five years, but the expansion trend is not on track to meet the IEA Net Zero by 2050 Scenario Annual additions to global renewable electricity capacity are expected to average around 305 GW per year between 2021 and 2026 in the IEA main case forecast. This implies an acceleration of almost 60% compared to renewables’ expansion over the last five years. Continuous policy support in more than 130 countries, ambitious net zero goals announced by nations accounting for almost 90% of global GDP, and improving competitiveness…
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Hydrogen
Low-emissions hydrogen projects are set to grow strongly despite wave of cancellations and persistent challenges
Worldwide hydrogen demand increased to almost 100 million tonnes in 2024, up 2% from 2023 and in line with overall energy demand growth. The vast majority of this was met by hydrogen produced from fossil fuels without measures in place to capture associated emissions. Sectors that have traditionally used hydrogen, such as oil refining and industry, remained the biggest consumers.
The uptake of low-emissions hydrogen is not yet meeting the expectations set by industry and governments in recent years, especially in light of…
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State of Energy Policy 2026 Energy efficiency and fuel switching regulations
More than 130 countries have energy efficiency or fuel switching regulations in place, but some were revised, delayed or withdrawn in 2025 Energy use has become more efficient around the world since 2000. Global energy intensity has improved by around 30% over the past 25 years, meaning the world uses about 30% less energy per unit of economic output today than it did in 2000, with differentiated trends by key end uses: passenger cars and air conditioners have notably seen efficiency improvements for new sales of 30% and 45%, respectively since 2005. However, the pace of improvement has slowed over…
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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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China’s Official Energy Finance in Emerging and Developing Economies Trends in China’s Outbound Energy Finance
This section examines the major shifts in China’s outbound energy finance over the past decade, with a particular focus on developments since 2022. Drawing on publicly available project information and systematically compiled datasets, the analysis highlights structural changes in the scale, composition and institutional drivers of official financing, with aggregate figures presented up to 2024. Together, these trends reveal how China’s role as an energy financier is evolving – from a gradual decline of traditional policy-bank lending to the rise of more commercial-oriented official providers – and what this means for investment patterns across EMDE. Overall financing trends…
