Renewables surpass coal as world’s top electricity source
Clean energy met all new global electricity demand in the first half of 2025, marking a historic shift despite regional divides.
Image for illustrative purposes
Renewable energy has overtaken coal as the world’s largest source of electricity for the first time, according to new data from global energy think tank Ember. The milestone marks a pivotal moment in the global energy transition, with solar and wind power meeting 100 % of the increase in electricity demand during the first half of 2025.
While renewables drove a slight decline in coal and gas use overall, Ember noted that the global picture remains mixed. Developing nations, led by China and India, are spearheading clean energy growth, while advanced economies such as the United States and the European Union have seen a rebound in fossil fuel generation due to weaker wind and hydropower performance.
The International Energy Agency (IEA) has also revised down its forecast for US renewable growth this decade, cutting projected new capacity additions by half – from 500 GW to 250 GW – citing policy shifts under the Trump administration. In contrast, China continues to add record solar and wind capacity, enabling a 2 % reduction in fossil fuel generation despite rising demand.
Ember analyst Malgorzata Wiatros-Motyka called the development a “crucial turning point,” saying it marks the start of an era where clean power keeps pace with demand growth. Solar power alone accounted for 83 % of global electricity demand growth, with most new generation coming from lower-income nations.
Africa and South Asia have seen surging solar adoption thanks to falling cost – solar prices have dropped by 99.9 % since 1975. Pakistan doubled its solar imports in 2024, while South Africa and Nigeria led Africa’s rapid expansion.
Despite ongoing challenges in grid integration and financing, experts agree the trend is clear: renewables are now the cornerstone of global electricity generation, signalling the steady decline of coal’s dominance after more than half a century.
Source: BBC
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