Worldwide solar and wind power production has exceeded electricity demand this year, marking a significant milestone as renewable energy sources collectively surpassed coal in power generation for the first time in history, according to a recent analysis.
A report by Ember, a global energy think-tank, revealed that global solar generation surged by a substantial 31% in the first half of the year, while wind generation saw a growth of 7.7%. The combined solar and wind generation spiked by over 400 terawatt hours, surpassing the overall global demand increase during the same period.
Renewables accounted for 34.3% of global electricity generation in the first half of 2025, outpacing coal’s share at 33.1%, marking a significant shift. This development indicates the potential for transitioning away from polluting energy sources with sustained investments in renewables such as solar, wind, hydropower, bioenergy, and geothermal sources.
Malgorzata Wiatros-Motyka, senior electricity analyst at Ember and the lead author of the study, emphasized that renewables can meet the escalating global electricity demand. Meanwhile, there was a slight decline of less than one percent in total fossil fuel generation.
The analysis, which covers data from 88 countries representing a vast majority of global electricity demand, highlighted factors contributing to rising demand, including economic growth, electric vehicles, data centers, population growth in developing nations, and the need for increased cooling due to rising temperatures.
The report also scrutinized the electricity generation and carbon dioxide emissions of major players like China, India, the European Union, and the U.S., which collectively represent a significant portion of global power sector emissions. Notably, China and India witnessed substantial growth in solar and wind energy, leading to a drop in fossil fuel generation and emissions.
However, challenges persist in the U.S. as the current administration shifts focus from renewables to boosting coal, oil, and gas production, potentially hindering clean energy growth. Experts caution that such policy shifts could have long-term consequences, affecting the supply-demand balance and impeding the transition to cleaner energy sources.
Despite these challenges, experts remain cautiously optimistic about the continued growth of renewables globally and their potential to displace fossil fuels in the long run. The ongoing momentum in renewable energy adoption signifies a positive trend towards a more sustainable and environmentally friendly energy landscape.