Global Electricity Generation by Source

The International Energy Agency (IEA), in its annual World Energy Outlook series, estimates that the world generated roughly 29,000 terawatt-hours (TWh) of electricity in 2023, drawn from a mix still dominated by fossil fuels even as low-carbon sources expand rapidly. Coal alone supplied around one-third of global electricity, making it the single largest source despite decades of climate policy aimed at phasing it down; natural gas contributed close to a fifth, hydropower around 14 to 15 percent, nuclear roughly 9 percent, and wind and solar together a growing but still modest share in the high single digits. China is by far the largest single generator of electricity, producing more than 9,000 TWh annually, ahead of the United States at roughly 4,300 TWh and India in third place, with the three countries together accounting for a large share of global output and of global growth in demand.