QAZAQ GREEN.  At a time when energy security and affordability have risen to the top of the development agenda, 655 million people globally still lack access to electricity, and two billion use polluting fuels and technologies for cooking, putting their health and well-being at risk. Sub-Saharan Africa bears a disproportionate share of these gaps, with over 560 million living without electricity and 970 million lacking access to clean cooking.

The latest edition of Tracking SDG 7: The Energy Progress Report, featuring new 2023 and 2024 data, shows that while most regions are nearing universal access, progress in Sub-Saharan Africa has slowed significantly, and the pace of electrification must triple to achieve universal access by 2030.

Renewable energy continued its strong expansion, accounting for over 30 per cent of global electricity consumption, while renewable energy-generating capacity reached a global record of 544 watts per person — enough to power a refrigerator. International public financial flows supporting clean energy in developing countries increased slightly to US$24.6 billion, and global energy efficiency continued to improve, reaching 3.76 megajoules per US dollar, although this remains an insufficient pace to meet SDG 7 targets.

However, the report warns that without urgent and scaled-up action, the world will fall short of achieving SDG 7 — ensuring universal access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy by 2030.

Key findings:

Access to electricity. Despite gains, progress remains far too slow. In 2024, the global access rate stagnated at 92 per cent, with annual growth halving compared to the previous decade.

Access to clean cooking fuels and technologies. This remains the largest energy gap, affecting approximately two billion people — roughly one quarter of the world's population. A stark urban-rural divide persists: 89 per cent of the urban population has access to clean cooking, compared to only 56 per cent in rural areas.

Renewable energy. Renewables now supply over 30 per cent of electricity, though their share in heating and transport remains limited.

Energy efficiency. Progress is falling short of required targets, with the rate dropping from 2.4 per cent in 2022 to 1.5 per cent in 2023.

The report will be presented to decision-makers at a special launch event on 8 July 2026, following the in-depth review of SDG 7 at the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development in New York.

"Recent global energy shocks have made one thing clear: countries with strong renewable energy capacity are better positioned to withstand economic and supply disruptions," said IRENA Director-General Francesco La Camera. He added that accelerating the deployment of cost-competitive domestic renewables must now be central to strengthening both energy security and economic resilience while pursuing SDG 7.

About the report: The report is published by the SDG 7 custodian agencies — the International Energy Agency (IEA), the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), the Statistics Division of the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA), the World Bank, and the World Health Organization (WHO).