New report from the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) says renewables will be key to meeting rising global demand for electricity but with up to 2.5 TW of solar, storage and wind projects already in connection queues worldwide, increased investment in grid infrastructure will be pivotal.
May 21, 2026
Electrification must account for 35% of global total final electricity consumption by 2035 to remain on a 1.5 C-compatible pathway, according to a new report from the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA).
The agency’s latest report, “Transitioning away from fossil fuels: A roadmap based on renewables, electrification and grid enhancement,” says electrification must lead the next phase of the energy transition.
A revised 1.5 C scenario calls for a significant increase in the role of electricity in the global energy system, rising from around 23% today to the 35% target by 2035, then to above 50% by 2050 at which point electricity would be the dominant energy carrier in the global energy system.
