For the first time in history, renewable energy sources—mainly wind and solar—have generated more electricity than coal worldwide, marking a major milestone in the global energy transition, according to a new report by the climate thinktank Ember.
Data from the first half of 2025 shows that renewable generation grew faster than global electricity demand, resulting in a slight drop in coal and gas use. Solar power led this surge, producing nearly one-third more energy than in the same period last year and meeting over 80 percent of the growth in demand. Wind power also rose by about 7 percent, helping renewables collectively overtake fossil fuels.
Ember’s senior electricity analyst, Małgorzata Wiatros-Motyka, described the shift as a pivotal point for the world’s power systems. She said renewable sources are now expanding quickly enough to keep up with increasing demand, signaling that clean energy is beginning to anchor global electricity supply.
China and India were identified as key contributors to this global rise. China added more renewable capacity than all other countries combined, leading to a 2 percent reduction in fossil fuel use in early 2025. India’s renewable output grew at more than three times the pace of its electricity demand, cutting its coal and gas consumption by 3.1 percent and 34 percent, respectively.
In contrast, the United States and parts of Europe saw slower progress. U.S. electricity demand exceeded renewable growth, leading to a 17 percent rise in coal generation. Meanwhile, weaker wind and hydro performance in the EU caused gas and coal use to climb despite rapid solar expansion.
The International Energy Agency (IEA) projects that global renewable capacity could more than double by 2030, with solar expected to make up around 80 percent of new clean energy additions. IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol noted that while solar will remain the main driver, wind, hydro, bioenergy, and geothermal power will also play vital roles.
The IEA also expects China to continue leading renewable growth through the decade, with India following closely behind. Other emerging markets, including Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and several Southeast Asian countries, are also set to ramp up solar development.
Experts say the milestone signals a clear global shift away from coal and gas toward cleaner, more sustainable energy sources—one that could redefine the world’s power systems and accelerate the transition to a low-carbon future.
