GITNUXREPORT 2025

Electric Industry Statistics

Global electric industry advances with renewable growth and decarbonization efforts.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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Statistic 1

The global electric industry market size was valued at approximately $4.2 trillion in 2022

Statistic 2

The average household electricity price varies significantly between countries, with the highest in Denmark at over $0.30 per kWh in 2022

Statistic 3

The global investment in new nuclear capacity dropped by 20% in 2022 due to economic and regulatory challenges, slowing nuclear expansion

Statistic 4

The number of electric vehicles on roads worldwide surpassed 10 million in 2022, contributing to increased electricity demand

Statistic 5

The number of electric vehicle charging stations worldwide reached over 450,000 in 2022, supporting EV adoption

Statistic 6

The penetration of electric vehicles in urban areas increased by 25% in 2022, influenced by rising fuel prices and policy incentives

Statistic 7

The global market for electric vehicle batteries is projected to reach $150 billion by 2030, fueling further growth in electricity demand

Statistic 8

The United States produced about 4.13 trillion kWh of electricity in 2022

Statistic 9

China is the world's largest producer of electricity, generating over 8,390 TWh in 2022

Statistic 10

In 2022, coal was responsible for approximately 36% of global electricity generation

Statistic 11

The share of electricity generated from nuclear power was about 10.4% globally in 2021

Statistic 12

The total global electricity consumption increased by about 3.2% in 2022

Statistic 13

Fossil fuel subsidies worldwide reached an estimated $500 billion in 2022, influencing electricity prices

Statistic 14

The energy sector is responsible for approximately 35% of global greenhouse gas emissions, most of which is from electricity production

Statistic 15

As of 2022, over 2.7 billion people lacked access to clean cooking facilities, which is often linked to energy supply issues

Statistic 16

The proportion of electricity generated from coal in India was roughly 70% in 2022, demonstrating reliance on fossil fuels

Statistic 17

The global electric industry employment was estimated at over 8 million jobs in 2022, encompassing generation, transmission, and distribution

Statistic 18

The progress toward decarbonizing the electric industry is expected to reduce global carbon dioxide emissions from power generation by 2.4 billion tonnes annually by 2030

Statistic 19

The average energy efficiency of new power plants increased by 10% from 2015 to 2022, reducing operational costs and emissions

Statistic 20

The U.S. electricity transmission and distribution losses were about 6% of total generated electricity in 2021

Statistic 21

In 2021, Africa's electricity access rate was approximately 43%, highlighting significant development needs

Statistic 22

The total number of smart meters deployed worldwide surpassed 1.2 billion by 2022, enhancing grid management

Statistic 23

In rural areas of developing countries, electrification rates remain below 50%, hindering economic growth

Statistic 24

The global investment in smart grid infrastructure was approximately $20 billion in 2022, aiming to improve grid efficiency

Statistic 25

The adoption of decentralized energy systems, such as microgrids, increased by 15% globally in 2022, improving energy resilience in remote areas

Statistic 26

The use of advanced grid management technologies, including AI and big data analytics, increased by 22% in 2022 to optimize electricity distribution

Statistic 27

Blockchain technology started being used for energy trading in over 15 countries as of 2022, increasing efficiency and transparency

Statistic 28

Electricity theft accounts for up to 5% of electricity losses in some developing countries, posing significant challenges to grid reliability

Statistic 29

The number of microgrids operational worldwide reached over 20,000 in 2022, primarily in rural and island communities

Statistic 30

The deployment of green hydrogen electrolyzers for electricity storage and grid balancing increased by 30% in 2022, supporting renewable integration

Statistic 31

Electrification of industrial processes is projected to increase electricity consumption by 15% globally by 2030, emphasizing industry transformation

Statistic 32

Renewable energy accounted for nearly 29% of global electricity generation in 2021

Statistic 33

The average global cost of electricity from renewables decreased by 18% between 2010 and 2020

Statistic 34

The average lifespan of a utility-scale solar panel is approximately 25-30 years

Statistic 35

Germany increased its renewable energy share to over 42% of electricity generation in 2022

Statistic 36

The levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) for solar dropped to around $20/MWh in 2021, making it one of the cheapest sources globally

Statistic 37

The global grid-connected solar capacity surpassed 940 GW by the end of 2022

Statistic 38

Hydropower accounts for approximately 16% of the global electricity supply

Statistic 39

The global renewable energy capacity grew by over 290 GW in 2022, driven by solar and wind installations

Statistic 40

The average capacity factor for utility-scale solar PV plants is approximately 20-25%, depending on location

Statistic 41

China's renewable energy investments exceeded $83 billion in 2022, underscoring its commitment to clean energy

Statistic 42

The global offshore wind capacity increased by approximately 13 GW in 2022, reaching a total of over 55 GW

Statistic 43

The U.S. aims to achieve 100% carbon pollution-free electricity by 2035, as part of its climate goals

Statistic 44

The European Union's renewable energy share in electricity reached 41% in 2022, moving towards its 2030 target

Statistic 45

Battery storage capacity worldwide doubled from 2020 to 2022, reaching over 18 GW, to support renewable energy integration

Statistic 46

The global supply chain disruptions caused delays in wind turbine and solar panel manufacturing in 2022, impacting project timelines

Statistic 47

The total investments in clean energy reached approximately $366 billion globally in 2022, fostering growth in the electric industry

Statistic 48

The share of electricity generated from wind energy globally was about 7.8% in 2021, showing steady growth

Statistic 49

The total global installed capacity of biomass energy was approximately 180 GW in 2022, used mainly for heating and power

Statistic 50

The US installed over 20 GW of new solar capacity in 2022, representing a significant increase from previous years

Statistic 51

Asia-Pacific remains the largest regional market for electric industry investments, accounting for over 55% of total global investments in 2022

Statistic 52

The proportion of hybrid renewable energy projects (wind + solar) increased by 12% in 2022, reflecting integrated renewable strategies

Statistic 53

The total cost of deploying offshore wind farms has decreased by approximately 45% since 2010, making it more economically competitive

Statistic 54

The share of renewable energy in the global energy mix is projected to reach 45% by 2030 under current policies, according to IRENA

Statistic 55

Wind and solar combined accounted for roughly 13% of global electricity generation in 2022, with expectations to grow in the coming decade

Statistic 56

The number of countries with committed net-zero targets related to power sector emissions increased from 30 in 2020 to over 110 in 2023, demonstrating global climate action

Statistic 57

The percentage of off-grid households with access to electricity in Sub-Saharan Africa increased from 20% in 2010 to over 40% in 2022, improving development prospects

Statistic 58

The proportion of energy generated from geothermal sources reached approximately 0.4% of global electricity in 2021, primarily in the Philippines, Kenya, and the US

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Key Highlights

The global electric industry market size was valued at approximately $4.2 trillion in 2022
Renewable energy accounted for nearly 29% of global electricity generation in 2021
The United States produced about 4.13 trillion kWh of electricity in 2022
China is the world's largest producer of electricity, generating over 8,390 TWh in 2022
The average global cost of electricity from renewables decreased by 18% between 2010 and 2020
In 2022, coal was responsible for approximately 36% of global electricity generation
The share of electricity generated from nuclear power was about 10.4% globally in 2021
The number of electric vehicles on roads worldwide surpassed 10 million in 2022, contributing to increased electricity demand
The average lifespan of a utility-scale solar panel is approximately 25-30 years
The U.S. electricity transmission and distribution losses were about 6% of total generated electricity in 2021
Germany increased its renewable energy share to over 42% of electricity generation in 2022
The levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) for solar dropped to around $20/MWh in 2021, making it one of the cheapest sources globally
The global grid-connected solar capacity surpassed 940 GW by the end of 2022

The electric industry is undergoing a transformative boom, with over $4.2 trillion in global market size in 2022, a remarkable shift towards renewables—now contributing nearly 29% of worldwide electricity—and innovative trends like electric vehicles, smart grids, and green hydrogen propelling it into a sustainable, high-tech future.

Economic Factors and Global Investment

The global electric industry market size was valued at approximately $4.2 trillion in 2022
The average household electricity price varies significantly between countries, with the highest in Denmark at over $0.30 per kWh in 2022
The global investment in new nuclear capacity dropped by 20% in 2022 due to economic and regulatory challenges, slowing nuclear expansion

Economic Factors and Global Investment Interpretation

While the electric industry boasts a staggering $4.2 trillion market and shows undeniable global growth, soaring household prices like Denmark’s over $0.30 per kWh and a 20% dip in nuclear investments highlight the urgent need for innovative, balanced solutions to power our future sustainably and affordably.

Electric Vehicles and Transportation

The number of electric vehicles on roads worldwide surpassed 10 million in 2022, contributing to increased electricity demand
The number of electric vehicle charging stations worldwide reached over 450,000 in 2022, supporting EV adoption
The penetration of electric vehicles in urban areas increased by 25% in 2022, influenced by rising fuel prices and policy incentives
The global market for electric vehicle batteries is projected to reach $150 billion by 2030, fueling further growth in electricity demand

Electric Vehicles and Transportation Interpretation

As electric vehicles surge past 10 million and over 450,000 charging stations energize this shift, the road ahead is unmistakably electrified, driven by urban adoption, policy push, and a booming battery market set to turn the world's power needs into an unstoppable current.

Fossil Fuels and Environmental Impact

The United States produced about 4.13 trillion kWh of electricity in 2022
China is the world's largest producer of electricity, generating over 8,390 TWh in 2022
In 2022, coal was responsible for approximately 36% of global electricity generation
The share of electricity generated from nuclear power was about 10.4% globally in 2021
The total global electricity consumption increased by about 3.2% in 2022
Fossil fuel subsidies worldwide reached an estimated $500 billion in 2022, influencing electricity prices
The energy sector is responsible for approximately 35% of global greenhouse gas emissions, most of which is from electricity production
As of 2022, over 2.7 billion people lacked access to clean cooking facilities, which is often linked to energy supply issues
The proportion of electricity generated from coal in India was roughly 70% in 2022, demonstrating reliance on fossil fuels
The global electric industry employment was estimated at over 8 million jobs in 2022, encompassing generation, transmission, and distribution
The progress toward decarbonizing the electric industry is expected to reduce global carbon dioxide emissions from power generation by 2.4 billion tonnes annually by 2030
The average energy efficiency of new power plants increased by 10% from 2015 to 2022, reducing operational costs and emissions

Fossil Fuels and Environmental Impact Interpretation

While the U.S. produced a substantial 4.13 trillion kWh in 2022 and China led the world with over 8,390 TWh, the continued heavy reliance on coal—responsible for 36% of global electricity—alongside $500 billion in fossil fuel subsidies and the sector's 35% share of greenhouse gases, underscores that despite strides in efficiency and decarbonization, the electric industry's complex dance with fossil fuels and global development remains both a technical challenge and a moral imperative.

Grid Infrastructure and Technology

The U.S. electricity transmission and distribution losses were about 6% of total generated electricity in 2021
In 2021, Africa's electricity access rate was approximately 43%, highlighting significant development needs
The total number of smart meters deployed worldwide surpassed 1.2 billion by 2022, enhancing grid management
In rural areas of developing countries, electrification rates remain below 50%, hindering economic growth
The global investment in smart grid infrastructure was approximately $20 billion in 2022, aiming to improve grid efficiency
The adoption of decentralized energy systems, such as microgrids, increased by 15% globally in 2022, improving energy resilience in remote areas
The use of advanced grid management technologies, including AI and big data analytics, increased by 22% in 2022 to optimize electricity distribution
Blockchain technology started being used for energy trading in over 15 countries as of 2022, increasing efficiency and transparency
Electricity theft accounts for up to 5% of electricity losses in some developing countries, posing significant challenges to grid reliability
The number of microgrids operational worldwide reached over 20,000 in 2022, primarily in rural and island communities
The deployment of green hydrogen electrolyzers for electricity storage and grid balancing increased by 30% in 2022, supporting renewable integration
Electrification of industrial processes is projected to increase electricity consumption by 15% globally by 2030, emphasizing industry transformation

Grid Infrastructure and Technology Interpretation

While the world has made impressive strides—deploying over a billion smart meters, expanding microgrids, and investing heavily in smart grids—the persistent 6% transmission losses, rural electrification gaps, and electricity theft in developing nations reveal that our electrical future still requires significant wiring and wisdom.

Renewable Energy and Capacity Expansion

Renewable energy accounted for nearly 29% of global electricity generation in 2021
The average global cost of electricity from renewables decreased by 18% between 2010 and 2020
The average lifespan of a utility-scale solar panel is approximately 25-30 years
Germany increased its renewable energy share to over 42% of electricity generation in 2022
The levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) for solar dropped to around $20/MWh in 2021, making it one of the cheapest sources globally
The global grid-connected solar capacity surpassed 940 GW by the end of 2022
Hydropower accounts for approximately 16% of the global electricity supply
The global renewable energy capacity grew by over 290 GW in 2022, driven by solar and wind installations
The average capacity factor for utility-scale solar PV plants is approximately 20-25%, depending on location
China's renewable energy investments exceeded $83 billion in 2022, underscoring its commitment to clean energy
The global offshore wind capacity increased by approximately 13 GW in 2022, reaching a total of over 55 GW
The U.S. aims to achieve 100% carbon pollution-free electricity by 2035, as part of its climate goals
The European Union's renewable energy share in electricity reached 41% in 2022, moving towards its 2030 target
Battery storage capacity worldwide doubled from 2020 to 2022, reaching over 18 GW, to support renewable energy integration
The global supply chain disruptions caused delays in wind turbine and solar panel manufacturing in 2022, impacting project timelines
The total investments in clean energy reached approximately $366 billion globally in 2022, fostering growth in the electric industry
The share of electricity generated from wind energy globally was about 7.8% in 2021, showing steady growth
The total global installed capacity of biomass energy was approximately 180 GW in 2022, used mainly for heating and power
The US installed over 20 GW of new solar capacity in 2022, representing a significant increase from previous years
Asia-Pacific remains the largest regional market for electric industry investments, accounting for over 55% of total global investments in 2022
The proportion of hybrid renewable energy projects (wind + solar) increased by 12% in 2022, reflecting integrated renewable strategies
The total cost of deploying offshore wind farms has decreased by approximately 45% since 2010, making it more economically competitive
The share of renewable energy in the global energy mix is projected to reach 45% by 2030 under current policies, according to IRENA
Wind and solar combined accounted for roughly 13% of global electricity generation in 2022, with expectations to grow in the coming decade
The number of countries with committed net-zero targets related to power sector emissions increased from 30 in 2020 to over 110 in 2023, demonstrating global climate action
The percentage of off-grid households with access to electricity in Sub-Saharan Africa increased from 20% in 2010 to over 40% in 2022, improving development prospects
The proportion of energy generated from geothermal sources reached approximately 0.4% of global electricity in 2021, primarily in the Philippines, Kenya, and the US

Renewable Energy and Capacity Expansion Interpretation

With renewable energy soaring to nearly 29% of global electricity in 2021 and costs plummeting by 18% since 2010, the electric industry is clearly plugging into a cleaner and cheaper future—though supply chain hiccups remind us that even progress requires careful wiring.