China has claimed the top position as the world’s largest producer of renewable electricity, according to The Energy Institute’s Statistical Review of World Energy 2025. The country generates more electricity from solar, wind, and hydropower than any other nation, surpassing even the combined total of the United States and the European Union.
In 2024, China produced more than 3,200 terawatt-hours (TWh) of renewable energy. This surge was driven by massive investments in solar power facilities across Xinjiang and Inner Mongolia, as well as record-setting installations of large-scale wind projects.
China’s dominance has become one of the defining forces pushing global energy demand to its highest level since 2006, spanning both fossil fuels and clean energy sources.
"The scale and direction of China’s energy choices will be pivotal in determining whether the world can deliver a secure, affordable, low-carbon energy future," said Dr. Nick Wayth, Chief Executive of the Energy Institute.
A Surge in Global Energy Demand, Driven Largely by Asia
In 2024, global energy supply grew by 2%, with non-OECD countries leading the increase. Fossil fuels still dominated, accounting for 86% of the total energy mix. Although every region recorded growth in energy demand, the pace varied noticeably:
- North America: +0.4%
- Europe: +0.7%
- Africa: +0.29 EJ, the smallest increase
- Asia-Pacific: the main driver, responsible for 65% of global demand growth and 47% of total world consumption
For renewable energy specifically, global supply surged 8%, with China alone contributing 58% of that growth—more than all other countries combined.
Electricity demand rose faster than total energy demand. The Asia-Pacific and Middle East regions saw the highest increases in power generation, at 5.4% and 5.3%, respectively.
Clean Energy Boosts Efficiency and Cuts Emissions
Since 2010, the global shift toward renewables and nuclear energy has helped avoid the use of 1,371 exajoules of fossil fuels and prevented 110 gigatons of greenhouse-gas emissions. This marks a dramatic change from 1990, when renewables made up just 3% of the global energy mix.
Beginning in 2025, global energy measurement will transition from the fossil-fuel-equivalent method to the Physical Energy Content approach, which reflects the actual energy needed to meet final demand. Under this new method, data shows the 2024 global energy system was 7% more efficient, thanks to the expanding role of clean energy sources such as wind, solar, and hydropower.
The Asia-Pacific region—led by China—accounted for 43% of avoided fossil-fuel consumption in 2024, followed by Europe (21%) and North America (20%).
Renewable Energy as a Pillar of Global Energy Security
Supply-chain disruptions, geopolitical conflicts, and extreme climate events over the past five years have exposed the vulnerabilities of the global energy system. As a result, many countries now view renewable energy as the foundation of energy security, thanks to its reliance on domestic resources and its low, stable operating costs.
China is a clear example of these advantages. Despite still depending on energy imports, the country has managed to avoid around 87 exajoules of imports over the past five years, more than Europe’s entire energy demand in 2024.
Europe and the United States have also reduced their import dependence, avoiding 63 EJ and 34 EJ, respectively. Meanwhile, Japan and South Korea—both of which rely on energy imports for more than 90% of their needs—managed to avoid less than 10 EJ.
In 2024, renewable energy accounted for one-third of global electricity production, yet it supplied only 8% of total global energy demand. This indicates that its development potential remains enormous.
A New Challenge: Grid Stability Amid Rapid Growth of Clean Energy
While renewables offer greater energy security, the massive expansion of solar and wind power introduces new challenges for grid stability. Countries like Iceland, Bhutan, and Norway have achieved high levels of decarbonization using more predictable renewable technologies such as hydropower and geothermal.
To ensure that solar and wind power can be integrated reliably, comprehensive planning is required—covering energy storage, synthetic inertia, smart grids, interconnections, and demand response systems. Together, these elements form the critical foundation for maintaining supply reliability as the world transitions toward a cleaner and more self-sufficient energy system.
