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1h ago

Renewables Top Coal in Global Power for First Time, Ember Finds

Solar-led growth in early 2025 outpaced demand, led by China alongside India.

FILE - Wind turbines operate as the sun rises at the Klettwitz Nord solar energy park near Klettwitz, Germany, Oct. 16, 2024. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader, File)
Workers inspect solar panels at a photovoltaic power station on a hill in Linyi, Shandong province, China August 11, 2018. Picture taken August 11, 2018. REUTERS/Stringer
FILE - A solar farm is visible in Hainan prefecture of western China's Qinghai province July 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan, File)
FILE - Wind turbines operate in a rural area near Canudos, Bahia state, Brazil, March 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Andre Penner, File)

Overview

  • Ember reports renewables generated 5,072 TWh in the first half of 2025, surpassing coal’s 4,896 TWh for the first time on record.
  • Global electricity demand rose 2.6% (+369 TWh) and was covered by solar (+306 TWh, +31% year over year) and wind (+97 TWh, +7.7%).
  • Total fossil-fuel generation dipped around 0.3%, with Ember estimating a 0.2% decline in power‑sector emissions.
  • China and India reduced fossil output as clean generation surged, while the United States and European Union saw higher coal and gas use due to strong demand and weaker wind and hydro.
  • Ember’s global view is based on monthly data from 88 countries (about 93% of demand), as the IEA projects solar will dominate renewable capacity growth through 2030 and experts call for more storage, transmission and supportive policies.