In a landmark shift for the energy sector, renewable energy generation globally has, for the first time, overtaken coal as the single largest source of electricity. According to a recent analysis by the energy think-tank Ember, solar and wind output in the first half of 2025 reached 5,072 TWh, surpassing coal’s 4,896 TWh
The milestone highlights the rapid pace of transformation underway in global power markets. Solar generation surged by a record 31% year-over-year, while wind rose by 7.7%—together contributing more than 400 TWh of additional output, which alone was greater than the rise in global electricity demand in that period.
Renewable energy now accounts for 34.3% of global electricity production, just ahead of coal’s 33.1% share, while gas held steady at 23%. Analysts view this as a “crucial turning point” indicating that clean energy technologies are gaining sufficient scale to keep pace with rising demand
The momentum behind renewable energy generation is being driven largely by growing renewable development in countries like China and India in conjunction with the decline of fossil fuel output. Meanwhile, growth in renewable generation outpaced demand in those economies—resulting in a net drop in fossil fuel usage.
Moving forward, realizing the full potential of renewable energy generation will require continued deployment of solar, wind, hydropower, bioenergy and geothermal systems, as well as large investments in grid modernization and energy storage. Only then can this historic lead over coal be sustained—and extended into a lasting energy transition.
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