Electricity generation remained central to global industrial and social progress in 2024, with leading economies adopting diverse energy approaches shaped by policy priorities, resource availability, and environmental goals.
Data from the International Energy Agency (IEA) reveals that coal continued to dominate the global electricity mix, contributing 35% of power generation. Fossil fuels, despite the growth in renewables, still accounted for nearly 60% of global electricity output.
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Emerging economies maintained a heavy reliance on coal. China, the world’s largest energy consumer, generated close to 60% of its electricity from coal, while India derived nearly 75% of its power from the same source. These figures underscore coal’s entrenched role in the energy strategies of developing nations.
In contrast, advanced economies are shifting toward cleaner energy. The European Union led the way in renewables adoption, with nearly 50% of its electricity coming from renewable sources, significantly higher than the global average of about one-third.
The United States leaned on natural gas, which made up over 40% of its electricity mix. Although there is a growing interest in renewables, President Trump’s renewed push for coal and surging energy demand from sectors like AI and data centres are expected to drive up coal production in the years ahead.
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Global electricity demand rose sharply in 2024, spurred by increased cooling needs, industrial growth, electric vehicle usage, and data centre expansion. As countries balance economic development with climate commitments, the global energy transition remains a complex and uneven journey.
According to the International Energy Agency, here is how electricity was generated across these key economies in 2024.
1. India: Heavy Reliance on Coal
India generated 73.4% of its electricity from coal in 2024, continuing its dependence on fossil fuels to meet growing demand.
Natural gas contributed 3.3%,
Oil: 0.2%,
Renewables: 20.5%,
Nuclear: 2.6%.
India’s renewable energy share saw growth, but fossil fuels remain dominant.
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2. China: Coal Still Leads, but Renewables Gaining Ground
China generated 58.4% of its electricity from coal, slightly lower than India’s share.
Natural gas: 3.2%,
Oil: 0.1%,
Renewables: 33.9%,
Nuclear: 4.4%.
The country made progress in renewable energy adoption, with nearly one-third of its electricity from renewables.
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3. United States: Natural Gas at the Forefront
The United States generated most of its electricity from natural gas, making up 42.6% of its energy mix.
Coal: 15.6%,
Oil: 0.7%,
Renewables: 23.3%,
Nuclear: 17.9%.
Natural gas remained the top source, with nuclear and renewables also playing significant roles.
4. European Union: Leading in Renewable and Nuclear Energy
The European Union’s energy mix in 2024 showed the strongest commitment to low-carbon sources.
Coal: 10.7%,
Natural gas: 15.6%,
Oil: 1.5%,
Renewables: 48.7%,
Nuclear: 23.6%.
Almost three-quarters of the EU’s electricity came from renewables and nuclear combined.
5. Global Average: Coal Dominates, Renewables Catching Up
Globally, coal remained the largest single source of electricity.
Coal: 34.5%,
Natural gas: 21.8%,
Oil: 2.4%,
Renewables: 32.1%,
Nuclear: 9.1%.
Renewables came close to matching coal, signalling a shift in global energy patterns.
