Global Electricity System Sees Record Clean Energy Growth in 2025: Ember Report Reveals Key Trends and Solar Dominance

London, UK — The global electricity system has become slightly less fossil fuel intensive, with clean power meeting all global electricity demand growth for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a new report by Ember, a leading UK-based think tank tracking the energy transition.

In an episode of Shift Key, Robinson Meyer, founding executive editor of Heatmap News, discussed these findings with Nicholas Fulghum, lead author of Ember’s 2025 Electricity Review and senior energy and climate data analyst at Ember.

Key Findings from Ember’s 2025 Electricity Review

The report highlights several critical trends in the global electricity system:

• Clean energy met 100% of global electricity demand growth in 2025, marking a significant milestone in the energy transition.
• Solar power dominated the electricity system, continuing its unstoppable growth trajectory.
• Fossil fuel intensity in the global electricity system decreased, reflecting a shift toward cleaner energy sources.

Solar’s Unstoppable Rise in the Global Energy System

During the discussion, Fulghum emphasized the unprecedented scale of solar growth, noting that while solar breaking records is not new, the absolute amount of solar expansion continues to accelerate.

“For those of us that have been following this story for a while, solar breaking records is not really a new thing,” Fulghum said. “But what keeps happening every year is that the scale and just the absolute amount of solar growth just keeps edging up more.”

Regional Variations in the Energy Transition

Meyer and Fulghum also explored whether trends in regions like California and Western Europe mirror those in Southeast Asia. Fulghum noted that while the pace of change varies, solar growth is a global phenomenon, driven by declining costs and increasing efficiency.

Potential Impact of Geopolitical Events on Future Energy Trends

The conversation also touched on how geopolitical events, such as the Iran war, could influence energy trends in 2026. Fulghum suggested that such conflicts may introduce volatility but are unlikely to derail the long-term momentum of clean energy adoption.

About Ember

Ember is an independent energy think tank based in the UK, recognized for its critical role in tracking the global energy transition. The organization has become a key resource for understanding the rise of solar energy, batteries, and the displacement of fossil fuels from the energy system.

Listen to the Full Episode

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