The Global Power Race: Who’s Really Dominating Energy Generation?

Global electricity generation rose 4.3 percent in 2024, reaching 31,256 terawatt-hours (TWh), up from 29,963 TWh in 2023, as accelerating electrification, industrial expansion, and the rapid proliferation of artificial intelligence data centres pushed energy demand to record levels, according to the Statistical Review of World Energy 2025.

China remained the world’s dominant electricity producer, generating 10,087 TWh, equivalent to 32.3 percent of global output, reinforcing its position as the foremost driver of energy consumption. The United States followed with 4,635 TWh, accounting for 14.8 percent of the global share. India ranked third at 2,030 TWh, representing 6.5 percent, while Russia generated 1,209 TWh, or 3.9 percent. Japan and Brazil contributed 1,016 TWh and 746 TWh, accounting for 3.3 percent and 2.4 percent of global generation, respectively.

The surge in demand has been attributed in part to the exponential growth of AI infrastructure, with large-scale data centres now consuming substantial and rapidly increasing volumes of electricity across North America, Europe, and Asia. Industrial recovery in major economies and the accelerating adoption of electric vehicles have also contributed meaningfully to the uptick.

Bangladesh mirrored the global upward trend, with domestic electricity generation rising 7.1 percent to 107.4 TWh in 2024, compared to 100.3 TWh the previous year. The growth reflects ongoing efforts to expand generation capacity and improve access to electricity across the country, even as the sector continues to grapple with fuel supply constraints and infrastructure challenges.

However, the broader global picture underscores a pressing challenge. As electricity demand accelerates worldwide, securing reliable and affordable fuel supplies has become increasingly critical, a concern that is particularly acute for import-dependent economies such as Bangladesh, where energy security remains closely tied to geopolitical developments in key supply regions.

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