Research Center: Solar energy’s share of global electricity generation rises to 6.9%

The share of solar energy in global electricity generation will rise to 6.9% in 2024, compared to 5.6% in 2023, according to a new report from the energy research center Ember.

Solar energy saw 29% growth over the past year, adding more than twice as much electricity as any other electricity generation method in 2024.

“Solar energy has become the engine of the global energy transition,” said Phil MacDonald, CEO of Ember, according to Al Arabiya.

China led global growth in solar energy, adding 250 terawatt-hours, representing 53% of the global increase, four times the increase recorded by the next-largest power generation method, the United States. The increase in solar energy, along with growth in wind, hydro, and nuclear power, contributed to raising the global share of clean electricity to 40.9% in 2024, compared to 39.4% the previous year.

Wind power grew by 7.9%, supported by increased generation capacity, despite declining wind speeds in some regions.

Hydropower remained the largest source of clean electricity at 14.3%, followed by wind at 8.1%, solar at 6.9%, and nuclear at 9%.

However, coal remained the primary source of global electricity at 4.4%, followed by gas at 22%, and other fossil fuels at 2.5%.