The demand for electricity is constantly growing. It is notable that by 2025, the entire increase in global electricity demand was already covered by clean energy sources, while fossil-fuel-based electricity generation had effectively stagnated. Moreover, solar power accounts for a larger share of Hungary’s energy mix than it does in Germany, Magyar Nemzet reported.
Last year, the entire increase in global electricity demand was already met by clean energy sources, which is significant because for many decades, growing electricity demand was primarily met by coal-, oil-, and gas-fired power plants, noted Zsolt Hárfás, an engineer and nuclear energy expert, citing the Global Electricity Review 2026 study published this April by the London-based international energy think tank EMBER.
In his blog, he noted that, based on the study, global electricity demand increased by 849 TWh in 2025, while low-carbon generation rose by 887 TWh. As a result, fossil fuel-based electricity generation saw a slight decline. Solar power was the driving force behind this growth, accounting for 75% of the increase in global electricity demand on its own. Together, wind and solar power accounted for virtually all of the growth.
Another historic finding of the report is that renewable energy sources surpassed coal-based electricity generation for the first time. The share of renewables reached 33.8%, while coal’s share fell to 33%.
At the same time, it highlighted a point that is regularly emphasized in the context of individual countries’ energy policies: the study devotes a separate chapter to the fact that, alongside the rapid expansion of solar energy, energy storage technologies—primarily batteries—are playing an increasingly important role. According to analysts, one of the most important issues of the coming decade will not be the further expansion of solar capacity, but rather how to shift the energy generated during the day to peak consumption periods and the evening hours.
To meet growing electricity demand, there is a simultaneous need for renewable energy, energy storage, grid upgrades, and stable baseload power plant capacity,
Hárfás emphasized.
Photo: Pexels
Based on data presented in the study, Hungary is currently among the world leaders in terms of the share of solar energy in total electricity generation. More specifically,
in 2025, Hungary had the highest share of solar power plants in its domestic electricity generation: it reached 27%, making the country a world leader in this field.
This is clear evidence that Hungarian energy policy not only follows but also shapes international energy policy trends in certain areas. By way of comparison: for years, the international press and numerous energy policy analysts held Germany as a model for the world, yet today Hungary has a higher share of solar energy than the German energy system. Moreover, the difference is not insignificant: 27% versus 17.9%, and Hungary achieved this result while retaining nuclear power, whereas Germany decided to shut down its nuclear power plants.
One of the most important features of the Hungarian model is precisely that it is not based exclusively on solar energy.
The Paks nuclear power plant currently provides about half of the country’s electricity production, while also serving as the country’s largest carbon-free power generation facility. However, electricity demand is expected to grow significantly over the next decade due to industrial investments, the electrification of transportation, the spread of electric vehicles, the growing energy needs of data centers, and the proliferation of heat pump systems.
This is precisely why one of the most important messages of the Global Electricity Review is that solar power, energy storage, and nuclear power are not rivals, but complementary elements of a modern, low-emission electricity system. And it is within this framework that the significance of the Paks II Nuclear Power Plant truly becomes clear.
Via Magyar Nemzet, atombiztos.hu; Featured photo: Pexels
