Global electricity demand is rising faster than expected, driven by growing needs in factories, electric vehicles, air conditioners, and data centers, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA). While countries are expanding low-emission power sources like solar, wind, and nuclear to meet demand, the IEA warns that the current pace is insufficient to achieve net-zero emissions by midcentury. To stay on track with climate goals, nations must double their efforts in building clean energy infrastructure by 2035.

The International Energy Agency (IEA) reported that global electricity demand is rising faster than expected, complicating efforts to cut emissions and limit global warming. In its annual World Energy Outlook, the agency noted that power demand will grow rapidly due to increased use in factories, electric vehicles, air conditioners, and data centers. Over the next decade, electricity grids will need to absorb the equivalent of Japan’s annual electricity consumption each year.

The IEA revised its forecast, projecting that global electricity demand in 2035 will be 6% higher than it estimated last year. However, the report offers some optimism for climate efforts. It suggests that countries are on track to build enough low-emission power sources—such as solar, wind, and nuclear—by the end of the decade to meet this rising demand. This expansion in renewable energy could prevent a significant rise in global emissions and potentially trigger a peak in the use of coal, oil, and natural gas within this decade.

Despite these gains, the report warns that meeting climate targets remains challenging. Many nations have committed to achieving net-zero emissions around midcentury, but current efforts are not sufficient. To stay on track, countries would need to double the pace of building low-carbon energy infrastructure between now and 2035. Without accelerated action, the goal of limiting global warming to safe levels may become increasingly difficult to achieve.