Solar led global energy-supply growth for the first time

What happened

The IEA's Global Energy Review 2026 found that global energy demand grew 1.3% in 2025 while solar PV supplied more than one-quarter of that growth, the first time a modern renewable source led the increase. Solar generation rose by a record 600 terawatt-hours, annual battery additions reached almost 110 gigawatts, and low-emissions sources supplied nearly 60% of demand growth. Energy-related CO2 emissions still rose about 0.4%, so the report documents real acceleration without claiming the transition is complete.

Why it matters

Clean-energy deployment is already changing the global energy mix and displacing substantial fossil-fuel use. The remaining emissions growth shows why expanding solar, storage, efficiency, grids, and electrification still matters.

What to watch

• Whether continued solar and battery records produce sustained declines in coal- and gas-fired generation rather than only meeting additional demand.
• Whether grid construction, efficiency gains, and affordable finance keep pace with rapid clean-energy deployment, especially in emerging economies.

Sources & evidence

• Global Energy Review 2026International Energy Agency statistical assessment published April 20, 2026. It uses the latest available 2025 data; some values remain provisional, and avoided fossil-fuel demand and emissions are estimated counterfactuals rather than directly observed quantities.

Topics

• Solar Power
• Battery Storage
• Global Energy
• Clean Energy Growth
• Energy Emissions