Global electricity generation capacity by source| ��ƽ��

Installed electricity capacity worldwide in 2024, by source (in gigawatts)

Characteristic	Capacity in gigawatts
Nuclear	379
Fossil fuels	4,757
Renewables	4,422
Hydroelectricity	1,230
Geothermal	15
Tide and wave	0.5
Solar	1,863
Wind	1,133
Biomass and waste	180
Hydroelectric pumped storage	201

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Release date

2026

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Region

Worldwide

Survey time period

2024

Supplementary notes

The source does not specify the publication date. The release date given is the date of access.

Figures have been rounded.

Citation formats

In 2024, electricity generation from renewables worldwide had a combined power capacity of over 4.4 terawatts. However, this was still significantly lower than the capacity of all fossil-based energy sources, which stood at 4.8 terawatts. Coal is still the greatest source for electricity generation worldwide, followed by natural gas.

Renewable energy is growing

Despite the continued dominance of fossil fuels, the installed capacity of renewables worldwide has more than doubled in the past decade. The cost of renewables' deployment has fallen over time, making them increasingly cost-effective and common around the world. Combined with the growing pressure to transition towards low-emission sources, renewable technologies are gradually replacing conventional fossil fuels.

When will renewables surpass fossil fuels?

Renewable energy capacity is forecast to grow by over 350 gigawatts per year in the next decade, while coal use will be reduced. As a consequence, global renewable electricity generation is projected to surpass that of fossil fuels by 2040.