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Ranked: The World’s Biggest Electricity Sources
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Key Takeaways
- Coal still generates one-third of the world’s electricity, making it the largest single power source globally.
- Fossil fuels account for 57% of global electricity generation, even as solar and wind continue growing rapidly.
- Solar and wind now each contribute nearly as much electricity globally as nuclear power.
Despite record renewable deployment, fossil fuels still generated the majority of the world’s electricity in 2025.
This visualization breaks down the global electricity mix by source, showing that coal alone still accounts for roughly one-third of worldwide power generation. Natural gas remains the second-largest source, highlighting how deeply fossil fuels remain embedded in the global energy system.
At the same time, solar and wind continue expanding rapidly and now rival nuclear power in total electricity generation. The data for this visualization comes from Ember, as of 2025.
Coal Still Dominates Global Power Generation
Coal continues to hold the largest share of global electricity generation at nearly 33%. Much of this demand comes from rapidly industrializing economies where coal remains relatively cheap and widely available. Countries across Asia, particularly China and India, still rely heavily on coal to meet growing electricity needs.
| Rank | Source | Value (%) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Coal | 32.97 |
| 2 | Natural Gas | 21.77 |
| 3 | Hydro | 14.00 |
| 4 | Nuclear | 8.85 |
| 5 | Solar | 8.70 |
| 6 | Wind | 8.50 |
| -- | Other Fossil | 2.65 |
| -- | Other Renewables | 2.50 |
Natural gas is the second-largest source, accounting for nearly 22% of global generation. Gas-fired plants are often viewed as a flexible backup for renewable energy because they can ramp production up or down quickly.
However, fossil fuels combined still represent close to 57% of worldwide electricity generation.
Solar and Wind Continue Their Rapid Expansion
Solar and wind are now nearly tied in their contribution to global electricity generation, each supplying roughly 8%–9% of total power.
Solar in particular has seen explosive growth over the last decade due to falling panel costs and large-scale installations in China, Europe, and the U.S.
Wind energy has also expanded significantly, especially offshore wind projects in Europe and Asia. Together, solar and wind now produce more electricity globally than nuclear power or hydro.
Hydro and Nuclear Remain Critical Low-Carbon Sources
Hydropower remains the largest low-carbon electricity source globally, contributing 14% of total generation. Many countries rely on hydroelectric dams for stable, dispatchable electricity that can complement intermittent renewable sources like solar and wind.
Meanwhile, nuclear power accounts for nearly 9% of global electricity production. Although nuclear growth has been slower in recent years, several countries are investing in next-generation reactors and extending the life of existing plants.
Learn More on the Voronoi App
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