China and India Reduce Fossil Fuel Use as Renewables Surpass Coal in 2025
In 2025, China and India experienced significant declines in fossil fuel electricity generation, with renewable energy sources like solar and wind taking a more prominent role in their energy mix. According to a report by Ember, China's fossil fuel generation decreased by 0.9%, equivalent to 56 terawatt-hours (TWh), while solar generation increased by 40%, or 336 TWh. Similarly, India's fossil fuel generation fell by 3.3%, or 52 TWh, with renewable generation rising by 24%, or 98 TWh. This shift is part of a broader global trend where renewable energy accounted for 33.8% of global electricity generation in 2025, surpassing coal's 33.0%. The report highlights that this change is driven by emerging markets meeting electricity demand growth with renewable sources rather than fossil fuels.