Highlights

• Renewables overtake coal for the first time, as well as tweak the global power mix.
• Solar is now meeting 83% of rising electricity demand.
• China and India pare down fossil fuels; US and EU depend more on coal and gas.

Solar and wind energy met all electricity demand growth in the first half of 2025, which led to a marginal decline in fossil fuel generation.

According to analysis from global think tank Ember, solar recorded a remarkable increase in generation and wind continued a steady rise.

As a result, renewables surpassed coal for the first time on record, which led to a change in the global electricity mix. Experts note that this trend marks the beginning of a period when clean power can keep pace with growing electricity needs.

Read More: Saudi Arabia Invests $8.3 B in 15 GW of Renewables by 2028

Global electricity demand increased by 2.6% and added 369 TWh compared to the same period last year. Solar alone met 83% of this increase, generating 306 TWh, a 31% rise year-on-year.

The growth of solar and wind was enough to replace part of coal and gas generation, which fell by 0.6% and 0.2% respectively. This led to a 0.3% drop in total fossil fuel generation and a small reduction in global power sector emissions of 0.2%.

For the first time, renewables produced more electricity than coal, with 5,072 TWh generated from solar, wind, and other clean sources. Coal generation decreased to 4,896 TWh. The decline in fossil fuels may appear modest, but it marks a shift where renewable generation can match rising electricity demand.

The trends differed among major economies. China and India saw a reduction in fossil generation because clean power output exceeded demand growth. China led global renewable expansion by adding more solar and wind than all other countries combined, which reduced fossil generation by 2% (-58.7 TWh).

Also Read: COP28 Impact: 16 Nations Raise, 6 Lower Renewables Targets

In India, low demand growth at 1.3% (+12 TWh) combined with rapid solar and wind expansion caused coal and gas use to fall by 3.1% and 34% respectively.

By contrast, the US and EU saw fossil generation rise. In the US, electricity demand growth surpassed renewable generation, which resulted in increased coal and gas use.

In the EU, weaker wind and hydro output forced higher reliance on fossil fuels.

According to Ember, though clean power can meet demand growth in many areas, progress is uneven, and increased deployment of solar, wind, and batteries could deliver huge benefits in regions still reliant on fossil fuels.

Malgorzata Wiatros-Motyka‍, Senior Electricity Analyst, Ember, said: “This analysis confirms what we are witnessing on the ground: solar and wind are no longer marginal technologies—they are driving the global power system forward.

“The fact that renewables have overtaken coal for the first time marks a historic shift. But to lock in this progress, governments and industry must accelerate investment in solar, wind, and battery storage, ensuring that clean, affordable, and reliable electricity reaches communities everywhere.”

Ends/

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