Overview

• Solar generation jumped 31% and wind rose 7.7% in the first half of 2025, with their combined growth exceeding the increase in global electricity demand, Ember reports.
• Renewables produced an estimated 5,072 TWh versus coal’s 4,896 TWh, with coal output down about 0.3% year over year and solar covering roughly 83% of new demand.
• Total fossil generation dipped around 0.3% and Ember estimates power-sector emissions fell by about 0.2% in the period.
• China added more solar and wind than the rest of the world combined and cut fossil generation by 2%, India also reduced fossil output, while the U.S. and EU saw fossil generation rise as clean power lagged demand or variable output.
• The analysis draws on monthly data from 88 countries covering about 93% of demand and focuses solely on electricity, with experts stressing that policy choices and grid and storage buildouts will determine whether the decline in fossil power persists.