Solar energy became the single largest contributor to global energy supply growth in 2025, accounting for over 25% of the increase — the first time a modern renewable has led global primary energy growth, according to the IEA's 2026 Global Energy Review. Global electricity demand grew ~3%, driven by EVs, data centers, and industrial electrification. Solar added ~600 TWh of generation, a record for any power technology in a single year. Battery storage added 110 GW of new capacity, also a record. EV sales surpassed 20 million units, dampening oil demand growth to just 0.7%. Global CO2 emissions rose only 0.4%, with China's emissions actually declining. Clean technologies now collectively displace fossil fuel consumption equivalent to all of Latin America's energy demand.
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Solar leads global energy growth for the first timeEVs keep oil demand in checkThe big picture: Electrification is acceleratingEmissions growth slows, but not everywhereSolar, battery storage, and nuclear all ramp upClean tech is denting fossil fuel demandElectrek’s TakeSort: