More energy now from renewables than from coal
In a report published on 7 October 2025, Senior Electricity Analyst Małgorzata Wiatros-Motyka and Global Electricity Analyst Kostantsa Rangelova at London-based global energy think tank Ember, state that global solar and wind energy outpaced demand growth in the first half of 2025, and that renewables overtook coal’s share in the global electricity mix.
Their report analyses changes in global electricity generation from January to June 2025 compared with the same period last year to measure the progress of the global clean energy transition.
It draws on monthly electricity data from 88 countries representing 93% of global electricity demand and includes estimated changes in the remaining generation. It also dives deeper into the top four CO2-emitting economies, which together account for 63% of the world’s electricity generation and 64% of global CO2 emissions from the power sector.
The increase in solar and wind power outpaced global electricity demand growth in the first half of 2025. Solar alone met 83% of the rise, with many countries setting new records. Fossil fuels remained mostly flat, with a slight decline. Fossil generation fell in China and India, but grew in the EU and the US.
As the world’s energy needs increase and electricity makes up a growing share of final energy consumption, spectacular solar growth, alongside increased wind generation, met and exceeded all new demand. This led to renewables overtaking coal’s share in the global mix and prevented further increases in CO2 emissions from the power sector.