STATEMENT: IEA Special Report on Global Electrification Released Ahead of COP31

STATEMENT: IEA Special Report on Global Electrification Released Ahead of COP31

NEW YORK (September 22, 2026) - Today at the UN General Assembly, the International Energy Agency (IEA) released its Special Report on Global Electrification, requested by Türkiye and Australia to inform COP31 discussions.

The report provides new analysis to support the Presidency's goal of increasing electricity's share of final global energy use from around 23% today to 35% by 2035. Crucially, it finds that fully exploiting today's cost-competitive potential for electrification could raise the global electrification rate to 33%.

Following is a statement from Dr Nick Wayth CEng FEI, Global Director of the WRI Polsky Center for the Global Energy Transition:

"Disruptions around Hormuz and higher energy prices crunching households' budgets have once again exposed the risks of relying on fossil fuels. Meanwhile, rising electricity demand is straining grids, making today's report especially timely. People need energy that is affordable, reliable and secure. Electrification can help deliver all three."

"Countries cannot control every geopolitical shock, but they can control how exposed they are to one. The more cars, factories and buildings run on clean electricity, the less they depend on volatile fuel markets and supply routes. As the report shows, electric technologies can also deliver services such as transport and heating far more efficiently than fossil-fuel alternatives. Paired with cleaner power, efficient technologies and well-designed electricity markets, electrification can cut emissions, strengthen economic competitiveness and protect households and businesses from fossil fuel price shocks.

"The 35x35 goal gives countries a clear target, and the report shows that getting close to it cost-effectively is already within reach. Reaching the goal will require concrete plans to ensure power systems can keep pace as more of the economy electrifies. That means expanding capacity faster and more strategically, while getting more from today's infrastructure through storage, efficiency and flexible demand. Governments also need planning, tariffs and market rules that reward consumers and businesses for shifting electricity use away from peak times - backed by the finance needed to put those changes into practice.

"Success will be measured not just by how fast electrification grows, but by whether it lowers energy bills, expands access to essential services and creates greater economic opportunities for workers and communities."