Power

The power sector plays a dual role in climate change mitigation: it is both a major source of CO₂ emissions and the critical key to decarbonising 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.

On this page, we have two sets of analysis:

• First is a project completed 2023-2026 with benchmarks for the power sector based on the need for rapid wind and solar rollout.
  
• Next, we look at how countries are doing in terms of decarbonising their power sectors and reaching those benchmarks where available - this is also placed on the country pages. Click here to jump to the decarbonisation evaluations.

Renewables are critical to achieving 1.5˚C emissions pathways. At COP28, the world committed to tripling renewable energy capacity by 2030.  It is a key action governments can take to cut emissions in line with the 1.5ºC warming limit. To help guide national target setting, we have analysed 1.5°C compatible wind and solar benchmarks for 20 countries, responsible for over 70% of global wind and solar deployment.

Alongside renewables, we also 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 the IEA’s current policy projections and national targets. You can read our full methodology here.

Providing ambitious targets, including for wind and solar rollout, can help turn the tripling goal into action and close the gap to 1.5ºC, while also achieving universal electricity access by 2030. As wind and solar energy will be the backbone of the energy transition, setting specific targets for this sector could become the defining policy action in global efforts to limit warming to 1.5°C.

On our country analysis pages, we assess and evaluate national power sector policies. Since May 2025, the CAT has been enhancing evaluation of country progress toward decarbonising the power sector for a slightly different set of more than 30 countries. Click on them on the map to go to the country pages.
See our full methodology here.

Find out more about sector indicators