Fatih Birol, executive director of the International Energy Agency, told governments meeting in Antalya for the COP31 climate talks that the world is now in an age of electricity. Governments from 185 countries are meeting this week and next in the Turkish city for the annual summit, where a resolution to derive 35% of final energy worldwide from electricity by 2035 is on the table.
Electricity Growth Outpaces Total Energy
Birol said the world added about 5,000 gigawatts of electricity in the last 10 years, and is expected to add about 12,000 gigawatts in the next 10 years, more than twice as much. He said global electricity demand is growing three times faster than total energy demand.¹²
Electricity now fulfils about a quarter of most energy needs, while three-quarters of final energy worldwide is supplied by fossil fuels. The COP31 Presidency launched a global initiative to increase electricity's share of global final energy consumption from approximately 23% today to 35% by 2035.¹²
The 35-by-35 target draws on analysis by the IEA and the International Renewable Energy Agency, which identifies accelerated electrification as essential to keeping global warming within the 1.5°C limit. Birol said most countries back the electrification goal, though some governments, including Saudi Arabia and Russia, are said to be opposed.¹²
Electricity now fulfils about a quarter of most energy needs, while three-quarters of final energy worldwide is supplied by fossil fuels.
Drivers: AI, Transport, Air Conditioning
Birol said there are three major drivers for electrification: AI and datacentres, the electrification of the transportation sector, and air conditioning, which he called the most important in terms of volume. In the US, about 90% of households have access to air conditioning, but in India it is fewer than 20%.¹
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Read More →Electric car sales show the pace of change. Birol said five years ago, only 5% of all cars sold were electric, and this year, about one-third of all cars sold are expected to be electric. Outside China, sales of electric cars have risen by 60% in the last nine months, the IEA has found.¹
Birol said he has worked closely with the Turkish and Australian governments, which are jointly presiding over this year's summit. He also said the single most important reason why UK electricity prices may be on the high side is reliance on imported gas.¹
Pledge Backed by Finance and Industry
The Global Electrification Pledge was unveiled at the UN Climate Summit in Antalya, Türkiye. COP31 President Murat Kurum said the recent energy crisis had exposed the vulnerabilities of countries dependent on imported fossil fuels, and COP31 President of Negotiations Chris Bowen emphasised that electrification must be supported by practical implementation pathways, investment and infrastructure.¹²
The World Bank and African Development Bank are expected to serve as inaugural co-chairs of the Electrify Now Finance Coalition in 2027.¹²
The COP31 Presidency and the European Union are convening the first Electrification Forum. The IEA will provide technical support through a Global Electrification Tracking Mechanism, and IRENA will lead the Enabling Distribution Grids for Electrification programme.²
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Read More →The Utilities for Net Zero Alliance announced an increase in its annual investment commitment for electricity grids, renewable energy and storage from $148 billion to $156 billion. The World Bank and African Development Bank are expected to serve as inaugural co-chairs of the Electrify Now Finance Coalition in 2027.¹²
A new report, The Electrification Opportunity, was developed by Sustainable Energy for All in collaboration with Türkiye and Australia. The We Mean Business Coalition has mobilised more than 180 companies, including Volvo, Uber, IKEA and Siemens, representing over $1.69 trillion in annual revenue.¹²
Electrification reshapes energy careers
If you are weighing a role in energy or infrastructure, the shift toward electricity changes what to prioritise. Global electricity demand is growing three times faster than total energy demand, and the world is set to add more than twice as much electricity generation in the next decade as in the last. That means skills tied to grid expansion, storage, and electrification of transport and buildings carry rising value. The 35% by 2035 target, backed by most countries, signals sustained policy support for these areas. For job seekers, roles in renewable energy, grid modernisation, and electric vehicle infrastructure align with the fastest-growing segment of the energy economy.¹²
For workers in India, air conditioning is a specific opportunity: fewer than 20% of households have access, compared with about 90% in the US. As electrification accelerates, demand for cooling technology, energy-efficient systems, and grid capacity will rise. For those negotiating pay, note that the Utilities for Net Zero Alliance raised its annual investment commitment from $148 billion to $156 billion, and more than 180 companies representing over $1.69 trillion in revenue have mobilised around electrification. That capital flow supports higher demand for engineers, project managers, and technicians in these sectors. Plan for growth in roles tied to grid infrastructure, cooling, and electric transport.¹²
For workers in India, air conditioning is a specific opportunity: fewer than 20% of households have access, compared with about 90% in the US.
Sources
Written by Career Ahead AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify key facts. Report errors to support@careeraheadonline.com
