Power

Introduction

The power sector plays a dual role in climate change mitigation, as it is both a major source of CO₂ emissions and the key to decarbonising all of the energy end-use sectors. As electrification increases globally, renewables will be crucial to meet growing demand while supporting energy access, affordability, and security, sustainable development, and global climate goals. Our power sector work looks at decarbonization from different angles.

Country progress toward decarbonising national power sectors

In the country profiles, we assess and evaluate national power sector policies. As of May 2025, the CAT has enhanced its evaluation of country progress toward decarbonising the power sector with additional analysis and visuals for a selection of countries: Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, EU, India, Nigeria, Norway, South Africa, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, Switzerland, Türkiye, UAE, UK, USA. You can read our full methodology here.

Find your chosen country on the map below and click to learn more about implemented policies in that sector.

Country power sector benchmarks and pathways

We also have more detailed power sector analysis as part of our benchmarking work. To help guide national target setting, we have produced 1.5°C compatible wind and solar benchmarks for 11 key countries, responsible for over 70% of global wind and solar deployment. We are expanding this analysis to 20 countries in total. Alongside wind and solar deployment, we look at electricity demand trajectories, fossil fuel phase-out pathways, the role of non-WNS generation, and capacity additions. We also compare the benchmarks to current policy projections and national targets. You can read our full methodology here.

Global analysis

At COP28, the world committed to tripling renewable capacity by 2030. This represents a key action that governments can take to cut emissions in line with the 1.5°C warming limit. All countries committed under the Paris Agreement to submit new 2035 climate targets this year.

Providing ambitious targets, including for renewables rollout, can help turn the tripling goal into action and close the gap to 1.5°C, while also achieving universal electricity access by 2030. As wind and solar will be the backbone of the energy transition, setting specific targets for them could become the defining policy action in global efforts to limit warming to 1.5°C. The tripling renewables pledge is an ambition floor, not a ceiling – to align with 1.5°C, wind and solar capacity must increase 5x by 2030, and 8x by 2035.

To achieve the goal of tripling renewables by 2030, governments should set ambitious targets for wind and solar, pair them with credible implementation plans and underpin them with increased international collaboration and finance. This transition also requires navigating broader system challenges, such as grid expansion, energy storage deployment, and planning for a just transition. Without addressing these challenges, we risk leaving the most vulnerable behind on the path to a carbon-free future.