Overview
- Global electricity demand is forecast to grow about 3.6% annually through 2030, outpacing GDP and overall energy demand, according to the IEA’s Electricity 2026 report.
- More than 2,500 GW of renewables, storage and large-load projects are stuck in interconnection queues worldwide, underscoring mounting congestion and curtailment.
- The IEA estimates up to roughly 1,600 GW of queued projects could be connected in the near term with grid‑enhancing technologies and flexible connection reforms.
- Meeting projected demand requires raising annual grid investment by about 50% by 2030, as renewables and nuclear move toward supplying roughly half of global generation.
- Storage markets are maturing and concentrating: Enel now leads operational ownership in Europe, while the U.S. set new residential installation records in 2025 and sodium‑ion production lines began ramping in January 2026.