Renewable energy now accounts for more than 30% of global electricity generation, but progress toward achieving universal access to affordable, reliable and clean energy by 2030 remains too slow, according to the 2026 Energy Progress Report.
The report, jointly prepared by the International Energy Agency (IEA), International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), UN DESA, the World Bank, and the World Health Organization (WHO), highlights signifi cant advances in renewable power while warning of persistent regional disparities and slowing improvements in energy effi ciency.
Sub-Saharan Africa remains the biggest challenge, with more than 560 million people still lacking electricity and 970 million without access to clean cooking.
The report estimates that the region’s electrifi cation rate must triple to achieve universal energy access by 2030.
Although renewable electricity continues to expand rapidly, the report notes that the use of renewables in the heating and transport sectors remains limited.
It also fi nds that global energy effi ciency improvements slowed to 1.5% in 2023, down from 2.4% in 2022, raising concerns about meeting climate and energy targets.