Renewable energy and nuclear power could supply about 50% of global electricity by 2030, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA). The projection was published in the agency’s Electricity 2026 report released on February 6, 2026.
The IEA said rapid expansion of solar photovoltaic capacity and steady growth in civilian nuclear power are driving the shift away from fossil fuels.
Renewable electricity generation nearly matched coal-fired output in 2025 and is expected to grow by about 1,000 terawatt-hours annually through 2030.
Solar PV alone is forecast to add more than 600 terawatt-hours per year, growing at an average rate of 8%, the agency said.
At the same time, global nuclear power generation hit a record high in 2025, supported by reactor restarts in Japan, stronger output in France and new capacity in Asia.
Africa is also reflecting the global trend, particularly in solar energy deployment. The Global Solar Council said Africa installed 4,498 megawatts of solar capacity in 2025, a 54% increase from the previous year and a record for the continent.
Under a medium-growth scenario, Africa could add 31.5 gigawatts of cumulative solar capacity by 2029, assuming annual growth of 21%.
On nuclear energy, the International Atomic Energy Agency said interest is rising across Africa, though limited financing remains a key challenge despite growing electricity demand.