Overview

• Ember reports renewables generated 5,072 TWh in the first half of 2025 versus coal’s 4,896 TWh, lifting their share of global electricity to 34.3% against coal’s 33.1%.
• Solar supplied 83% of incremental power demand in H1 2025 and remained the largest source of new electricity for a third straight year.
• China and India drove the gains, with China cutting fossil generation by 2% as solar rose 43% and wind 16%, while India lifted solar 31% and wind 29%, reducing coal and gas use.
• In contrast, fossil generation rose in advanced economies, with U.S. coal output up 17% and EU gas generation up 14% as weak wind and hydro and faster demand growth strained clean supply.
• The IEA now forecasts roughly 4,600 GW of additional renewable capacity by 2030—down from more than 5,500 GW expected a year ago—citing reduced U.S. federal incentives and China’s shift to auction-based procurement that pressures project economics.