Renewable Energy Surges Past Coal for the First Time in Historic Global Shift

A New Dawn for Energy: Renewables Overtake Coal for the First Time

In a landmark moment for global energy, wind and solar power have collectively surpassed coal as the primary source of electricity generation for the first time in history. The first half of 2025 has been marked by this pivotal shift, as reported by the climate analytics firm Ember. This monumental development signifies more than just a change in energy sources; it heralds the beginning of a genuine transition to clean energy, capable of meeting, and even influencing, the escalating global demand for electricity.

Fueling Growth, Damping Fossil Fuels

The world's appetite for electricity has grown by a significant 2.6%, or 369 terawatt-hours (TWh), during the initial six months of 2025. Remarkably, this surging demand has been entirely met by the surge in renewable energy output. Solar power alone contributed an astonishing 306 TWh, a 31% increase, while wind power added another 97 TWh, a respectable 7.7% rise. Solar generation, in particular, was the powerhouse, accounting for an incredible 83% of the total demand growth. This allows alternative sources to gracefully, yet decisively, step ahead of fossil fuels.

“Solar and wind energy are now developing fast enough to satisfy global growing electricity demand. This is the start of a clean energy transition that is keeping pace with demand growth,” stated the report's author, Malgorzata Wiatros-Motyka, a senior electricity analyst at Ember.

Solar's Explosive Rise and Shifting Landscapes

The first half of 2025 witnessed an unprecedented boom in solar energy generation, elevating its share in the global energy mix from 6.9% to 8.8%. China stands as the undisputed champion of this solar revolution, responsible for a substantial 55% of the world's growth in solar energy production. The United States followed with 14%, the EU with 12%, India with 5.6%, and Brazil with 3.2%. This global momentum means at least four countries now draw over a quarter of their electricity from solar farms. Furthermore, the number of nations where solar power constitutes 10% or more of their energy balance has jumped to 29, up from just 22 in 2024. Globally, alternative energy sources generated a massive 5,072 TWh, a 7.7% increase year-on-year. Conversely, coal-fired power generation dipped by 31 TWh to 4,896 TWh. Consequently, renewable energy now accounts for 34.3% of global electricity production, nudging coal's share down to 33.1%.

Regional Dynamics: Victories and Setbacks

Ember's analysis points to China and India as key drivers of this transition. In these nations, the growth in renewable generation outpaced electricity demand, leading to a reduction in fossil fuel consumption. China saw a 2% decrease in coal usage, while India reduced its reliance on coal and gas by 3.1% and 34% respectively. However, the picture isn't uniformly rosy. In the United States, electricity demand outstripped renewable generation growth, resulting in a 17% surge in coal consumption during the first half of the year. Similarly, unfavorable weather conditions in the European Union led to a temporary dip in solar and wind output, causing a 14% rise in coal and a 1.1% increase in gas generation in some European countries.

A Transformative Milestone and the Road Ahead

The International Energy Agency (IEA) projects that renewable energy generation could more than double by the end of the decade, with solar power expected to contribute a staggering 80% of this new capacity. Dolf G. N. Van Vuuren, Director of the IEA, noted, “This analysis confirms what we are seeing on the ground: solar and wind are no longer marginal technologies. They are driving the global energy system forward. The fact that renewables have overtaken coal for the first time marks a historic shift. But to cement this progress, governments and industry must accelerate investments in solar, wind and battery storage, ensuring clean, affordable and reliable electricity for people worldwide.” The report also highlights a moderate reduction in CO₂ emissions, amounting to 12 million tonnes. Despite regional variations, analysts widely agree that 2025 marks a definitive turning point in the global energy transition, moving renewable sources from the periphery to the very core of our energy future.