Achieving universal access to affordable, reliable and sustainable energy by 2030 will largely depend on progress in just 22 countries, according to the latest Tracking SDG7: Energy Progress Report 2026 released by Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL).
The report warns that despite continued progress, the world remains significantly off track to meet Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG7) by 2030.
While 89 million people gained access to electricity in 2024, rapid population growth meant the number of people without electricity declined by only 11.5 million, leaving 655 million people still living without power.
The report also estimates that nearly 2 billion people continue to lack access to clean cooking, while renewable energy accounts for only 18 percent of global final energy consumption.
Meanwhile, global energy efficiency is improving at just 1.5 percent annually, far below the pace required to achieve the SDG7 target.
SEforALL said the remaining energy access challenge is becoming increasingly concentrated in Africa, rural communities and a relatively small group of countries.
