Global Energy Shift
The year 2025 marked a historic milestone in the global energy sector: renewables, comprising solar and wind power, outpaced coal in electricity generation
for the first time. This shift, according to a new analysis by Ember, was primarily fueled by record-breaking solar growth and consistent expansion in wind energy. Global electricity demand increased by 2.6% in the first half of 2025, adding 369 TWh compared to the same period the previous year. Solar energy alone accounted for 83% of this increase, with its generation growing by 31% year-on-year, amounting to 306 TWh. Simultaneously, wind energy continued to expand steadily. The combined growth of solar and wind was substantial enough not only to satisfy the rising demand but also to begin displacing fossil fuel generation, resulting in a slight decrease in the use of coal and gas.
Fossil Fuel Decline
As renewable energy sources gained prominence, the utilization of fossil fuels experienced a downturn. Coal saw a decrease of 0.6%, equivalent to 31 TWh, while gas usage fell by 0.2%, or 6 TWh. The overall decline in fossil fuel generation was modest, at 0.3%, but significant, indicating the growing capacity of solar and wind to meet demand. The shift resulted in global power sector emissions falling by 0.2%. Renewables generated a total of 5,072 TWh of electricity globally, surpassing coal's 4,896 TWh. The decline in fossil fuel generation demonstrates the potential of renewable sources to not only keep pace with the rising electricity demand, but also to potentially outstrip it in the future, further accelerating the decline of fossil fuels.
India's Renewable Growth
India was a key player in this global transition, experiencing substantial growth in its solar and wind energy sectors. In the first half of 2025, India witnessed a significant decline in fossil fuel generation, contributing to a 3.6% reduction in power sector emissions. This was largely due to a record expansion in solar and wind capacity combined with a relatively modest increase in electricity demand, which grew by only 1.3%, or 12 TWh, compared to the previous year's 9%. The expansion of clean energy sources significantly outpaced the demand growth in India. Consequently, coal consumption fell by 3.1%, or 22 TWh, and gas usage declined by 34%, or 7.1 TWh. This trend highlights the growing influence of renewables in India's energy mix and paves the way for even greater emission reductions in the years ahead.
Contrasting Regional Trends
While the global trend favored renewables, there were regional variations. In the US and the EU, fossil fuel generation rose due to differing factors. In the US, demand growth outstripped the increase in clean energy, leading to higher fossil fuel consumption. The EU faced challenges with weaker wind and hydro output, which resulted in a reliance on gas and coal. Despite these regional disparities, Ember's analysis indicates that clean energy can keep pace with growing electricity demands in many economies. Accelerated deployment of solar, wind, and battery storage can lead to broad benefits in various countries.
Experts' Perspectives
Various experts have provided insights into this significant shift. Sonia Dunlop, CEO of the Global Solar Council, highlighted that solar and wind are now leading the global power system, marking a historic change. She emphasized the importance of further investment in these technologies to ensure clean, affordable, and reliable electricity access. Małgorzata Wiatros-Motyka, Senior Electricity Analyst at Ember, noted that solar and wind are now expanding fast enough to meet the world's increasing demand for electricity, marking the beginning of a shift where clean power keeps pace with demand growth. Neshwin Rodrigues, Ember's Senior Energy Analyst for Asia, emphasized the impact of India’s record solar and wind additions, demonstrating how renewables are reshaping the power system and enabling deeper emission reductions.
