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What Next for the Global Car Industry
…navigate a vehicle technology transition that is moving at different speeds in different markets.At the same time, growth in car sales has shifted to emerging economies including China since the turn of the century, with around half of global sales now in these regions. Production has also grown unevenly in different regions, especially since the pandemic. China’s car output reached a record 27 million in 2024, when it also became the world’s largest car exporter.This IEA Special Report, released as part of the IEA’s Energy Technology Perspectives (ETP) series, aims to provide technology and market…
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IEA Support to Accelerating Renewable Energy Permitting (ARPE)
…as well as all other stakeholders engaged in renewable energy project development.The project was funded by the European Union (EU) via the Technical Support Instrument, which is managed by the Reform and Investment Task Force (SG REFORM) of the European Commission. The project is implemented by the International Energy Agency (IEA), in cooperation with the European Commission. Background In May 2022, the European Commission released the REPowerEU aimed at rapidly accelerating the clean energy transition in the European Union. The plan includes increasing the 2030 target for renewable energy in the overall energy mix to 42.5% (with the ambition…
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Ensuring a Strong Labour Dimension for Just and Inclusive Energy Transitions
…services across many areas of the energy sector. To give a greater voice to the labour perspective in energy and climate policy discussions, the IEA Executive Director, Dr. Fatih Birol, convened the Clean Energy Labour Council in 2022. The Labour Council brings together representatives of the world’s most important national trade unions and trade union confederations, as well as prominent thinkers on the topic, to foster engagement between the IEA, energy policy makers, and the labour movement.The IEA Clean Energy Labour Council presents this paper to highlight the importance of a strong labour dimension in clean energy transitions…
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Tracking SDG7: The Energy Progress Report, 2025
…aim of SDG 7 is to “ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all.” This report therefore summarizes global progress on electricity access, clean cooking, renewable energy, energy efficiency, and international cooperation to advance SDG 7. It presents updated statistics for each of the indicators and provides policy insights on priority areas and actions needed to spur further progress on SDG 7.The report is produced annually by the International Energy Agency (IEA), the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), the United Nations Statistics Division (UNSD), the World Bank, and the World Health Organization (WHO)—the five custodian…
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Industry
Industry
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Energy and AI in East Asia
…the Korea Energy Economics Institute and was carried out jointly by the International Energy Agency (IEA) and the Korea Energy Economics Institute. The study has three objectives in the context of East Asia. First is to explore the possibilities presented by AI for the energy sector. Second is to examine the expected increase in electricity demand by data centres, and the impact on grid planning and operation. Third is to provide policy recommendations for embracing the opportunities presented by the application of AI to energy, as well as policies for proactively managing the challenges presented by the consumption of energy by…
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Multiple Benefits of Energy Efficiency for Business
Energy efficiency is often described as the “first fuel” because the cheapest and most secure energy is the energy that is not used. For businesses, this begins with a straightforward benefit: lower energy bills. In many cases, efficiency investments can pay back quickly through reduced energy costs alone. However, the value of energy efficiency extends beyond energy savings.This report builds on the IEA’s work on the multiple benefits of energy efficiency and focusses on how these gains materialise in businesses. Key benefits range from productivity and product quality improvements to brand image or health benefits for employees and…
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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
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+ 4 pages
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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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Renewables in District Energy
…around 600 million people worldwide, but many systems remain heavily dependent on fossil fuels, exposing consumers and utilities to price volatility, supply risks and high emissions.The report provides a global overview of district energy systems, their fuel mixes, market conditions, governance models and affordability implications. It explores the growing opportunities offered by renewable and recovered heat sources, including bioenergy, geothermal, solar thermal, waste heat, large-scale heat pumps and thermal energy storage. It also sets out policy priorities for three types of markets: established systems with high renewable shares, fossil fuel-intensive networks, and emerging or untapped district energy markets.
