In a landmark development for global energy, renewables have surpassed coal in power generation for the first time in history. This significant shift is highlighted in a recent analysis by energy think tank Ember.
Renewables Outpace Fossil Fuels
The first half of 2025 saw solar and wind energy not only match but exceed global electricity demand growth. A report indicates that during this period, solar energy met a remarkable 83% of the increased demand, amounting to 306 terawatt-hours (TWh) and growing by 31% year-over-year.
Electricity Demand and Generation Statistics
Global electricity demand rose by 2.6% year-over-year, translating to an increase of 369 TWh. Renewable energy sources generated a total of 5,072 TWh in the first half of 2025, a rise from 4,709 TWh the previous year. Meanwhile, coal generation dropped to 4,896 TWh, marking a decrease of 31 TWh.
- Global electricity demand: +2.6% (369 TWh increase)
- Solar energy contribution: 306 TWh (31% growth)
- Total renewable generation: 5,072 TWh
- Coal generation: 4,896 TWh (decrease of 31 TWh)
Fossil fuel output also experienced a downturn, with coal generation declining by 0.6% and gas generation reducing by 0.2%, which collectively resulted in a 0.3% dip in overall fossil generation. Consequently, emissions from the global power sector fell by 0.2%.
A Turning Point for Clean Energy
The analysis from Ember underscores this moment as more than a temporary blip in energy trends. The rapid advancement of solar and wind technologies promises to outpace demand growth, thereby facilitating a consistent reduction in fossil fuel reliance.
Regional Developments in Energy Generation
Progress in renewable adoption, however, is not uniform globally. Within the major power markets—China, India, the United States, and the European Union—contrasting trends emerged. In China, fossil fuel generation decreased by 2%, while India experienced an impressive threefold increase in clean energy growth, despite only a 1.3% rise in overall electricity demand.
- China’s fossil generation: -2% (-58.7 TWh)
- India’s fossil generation: coal -3.1% (-22 TWh), gas -34% (-7.1 TWh)
Conversely, both the United States and EU saw increases in fossil fuel output, attributed to higher demand growth than renewable supply in the U.S. and underperformance of wind and hydro in the EU.
The Path Forward
With half of the world surpassing peak fossil fuel generation, Ember emphasizes the need for increased investment in renewable technologies. “Solar and wind are no longer niche technologies—they are propelling the global power system,” stated Sonia Dunlop, CEO of the Global Solar Council.
Ember’s analysts assert that for this historic shift towards renewables to be sustained, governments and industries must amplify their clean energy commitments. Lower technology costs provide an optimal opportunity to harness the economic and health benefits associated with expanded solar and wind energy adoption.
