Global energy demand growth slowed to 1.3% in 2025, slightly below the 1.4% average over the past decade and markedly lower than the 2024 level, according to a report released by the International Energy Agency (IEA) on April 20.

The IEA attributed the slower growth to weaker global economic expansion, less extreme weather in some regions, and rapid uptake of high-efficiency technologies.

Global electricity consumption rose by 3% in 2025. Power demand from electric vehicles and data centers increased by 38% and 17%, respectively. Electricity demand growth was driven by multiple sectors including buildings and industry, and further boosted by rapid expansion in EV and data center power consumption, the IEA noted.

The IEA forecasts global electricity demand to grow at an average annual rate of 3.6% in 2026-2030, well above the past decade's average. By 2030, data center power demand will double to 945 TWh, equivalent to Japan's annual electricity consumption today.