The global energy landscape is undergoing a historic shift: in the first half of 2025, electricity generation from renewable sources exceeded coal-based production for the first time, The Guardian reports.
Solar and wind power plants provided the majority of the world’s growing electricity demand, leading to a decline in coal and gas consumption. The rise of renewable generation has become so rapid that clean energy is now expanding faster than the overall demand for electricity. This trend is reducing greenhouse gas emissions and demonstrating the potential for a global transition to sustainable energy.
Solar energy showed the fastest growth — nearly one-third higher than in the first half of 2024 — meeting 83% of the additional demand. Wind generation increased by more than 7%, further strengthening the position of renewables in the global energy mix.
China and India emerged as the key drivers of renewable growth. China generated more green electricity than the rest of the world combined, cutting its fossil fuel use by 2%. In India, renewable generation grew three times faster than electricity demand, reducing coal consumption by 3.1% and gas by 34%.
In the United States, electricity demand outpaced renewable capacity growth, resulting in a 17% rise in coal generation. In the European Union, solar power expanded rapidly, but weak wind conditions and low hydropower output led to increases in gas and coal use by 14% and 1.1%, respectively.
According to the International Energy Agency, global renewable energy production could more than double by the end of the decade. Solar energy will contribute the most to this growth, while wind, hydro, bio, and geothermal sources will continue to play key supporting roles. Beyond China and India, rapid progress is also expected in Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Southeast Asian nations.
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