Renewables now generating more global power than coal

Renewables generated more power than coal for the first time on record in the first half of 2025.

Figures from climate change think-tank Ember also found that solar and wind are now growing fast enough to meet the world’s growing appetite for electricity in what it said was beginning of a shift where clean power is keeping pace with demand growth.

Global electricity demand rose 2.6% in the first half of 2025, adding 369 TWh compared to the same period last year.  Renewables supplied 5,072 TWh of global electricity, up from 4,709 TWh in the same period in 2024, overtaking coal at 4,896 TWh, down 31 TWh year-on-year. 
Ember said the 0.3% drop in fossil fuel generation was “modest but significant”.

Robert Groves, CEO of SmartestEnergy, reflected on the significance of this achievement and what must come next: “Renewables overtaking coal in the first half of 2025 is a hugely welcome and historic milestone globally. It demonstrates decades of investment and the extraordinary scale-up of solar and wind, particularly in markets such as China and India. But a single milestone doesn’t resolve the structural challenges that remain on the path to net zero. Grid infrastructure, interconnection, long-duration flexibility, and predictable market signals all need to accelerate if we’re to lock in emissions reductions and keep costs down for businesses and households.

For companies, this is the time to move from aspiration to execution: reviewing procurement strategies, investing in on-site generation and storage where it makes sense, and using flexibility services to manage peaks and avoid reliance on fossil backup. This milestone shows the direction of travel is right - the job now is to strengthen the systems and commercial frameworks that turn renewable power growth into dependable, long-term clean electricity.”