By Abbas Nazil
Global electricity generation from renewable sources has, for the first time in history, surpassed that of coal, marking a major milestone in the world’s transition toward clean energy.
According to a new report by Ember, a climate research institute, global solar and wind power output exceeded coal-generated electricity during the first half of 2025.
The development signals a turning point in global energy production and a significant stride toward reducing dependence on fossil fuels.
The report revealed that renewables grew faster than the global rise in electricity demand, leading to a decline in coal and fossil gas consumption.
Solar energy production increased by nearly 30% compared to the same period in 2024, meeting 83% of the additional global electricity demand.
Wind energy also grew by over 7%, enabling renewables to outpace fossil fuels for the first time in recorded history.
Ember described the achievement as a “pivotal moment” in the global energy transition.
The institute noted that solar and wind capacity are now expanding quickly enough to meet growing electricity needs, representing the beginning of a clean energy era that aligns with global consumption patterns.
China and India emerged as the leading contributors to renewable energy expansion.
While the United States and European Union continue to rely heavily on fossil fuels, both Asian nations have made significant investments in solar and wind infrastructure.
The International Energy Agency (IEA) projects that global renewable capacity could more than double by 2030, with solar power accounting for 80% of the new additions.
Ember’s analysis found that China added more renewable capacity in the first half of 2025 than the rest of the world combined.
This achievement led to a 2% reduction in fossil fuel use compared to the same period last year.
India also recorded remarkable progress, tripling its renewable energy production relative to domestic demand and cutting coal and gas consumption by 3.1% and 34%, respectively.
However, the report indicated mixed progress in Western economies.
In the United States, electricity demand grew faster than renewable energy generation, resulting in a 17% rise in coal power production in early 2025.
Similarly, in the European Union, despite rapid growth in solar energy, limited wind and hydro output, coupled with modest increases in electricity demand, led to a rise in electricity generation from gas and coal by 14% and 1.1%, respectively.
Ember’s findings underscore the growing global divide in energy transition speeds, with emerging economies like China and India leading renewable growth, while some developed regions experience setbacks.
Looking ahead, solar power is expected to remain the dominant force driving renewable expansion worldwide, supported by contributions from wind, hydro, biomass, and geothermal sources.
China is forecasted to maintain its position as the fastest-growing clean energy market, with India projected to become the second-largest by the end of the decade.
Emerging economies, including Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and several Southeast Asian nations, are also preparing for rapid solar deployment, further accelerating the global shift away from coal.
The 2025 milestone marks a defining moment for the world’s power sector, symbolizing both progress in renewable adoption and the growing urgency to sustain momentum in the fight against climate change.
