LONDON — Renewable energy has overtaken coal as the world’s largest source of electricity generation for the first time, marking a historic milestone in the global energy transition, according to a new report by energy think tank Ember.
Between January and June 2025, renewable sources such as wind and solar produced 5,072 terawatt hours (TWh) of electricity worldwide, surpassing coal’s 4,896 TWh, the report said. The shift was driven primarily by the rapid clean energy expansion in China and India, even as fossil-fuel generation rose modestly in the United States and Europe.
“We are seeing the first signs of a crucial turning point,” said Małgorzata Wiatros-Motyka, senior electricity analyst at Ember. “Solar and wind are now growing fast enough to meet the world’s growing appetite for electricity.”
China, the world’s largest power consumer, reduced fossil-fuel generation by 2% in the first half of 2025 while ramping up solar output by 43% and wind generation by 16%. In India, solar and wind generation increased by 31% and 29%respectively, helping to cut coal and gas use by 3.1%.
By contrast, fossil-fuel output rose in both the United States and the European Union due to stronger electricity demand and weaker wind and hydropower conditions. In the U.S., coal-fired generation jumped 17% as gas generation fell 3.9%, while in Europe gas-fired generation increased by 14% and coal use edged up 1.1%. Analysts attributed this reversal to seasonal weather effects and policy shifts that continue to favor energy reliability over decarbonization in some regions.
The rise in coal generation in the United States also reflects a renewed policy push from President Donald Trump, who earlier this year signed executive orders aimed at boosting coal production and last month pledged continued support for coal-fired power plants.
Globally, electricity demand increased 2.6%, or 369 TWh, compared to the same period in 2024. Nearly all of this additional demand was met by renewables, with solar adding 306 TWh and wind contributing 97 TWh.
For investors, the data underscores a structural shift in the global energy landscape. Renewable energy is no longer an alternative — it has become the dominant growth engine of global electricity markets, signaling a profound change in how the world powers its economies.
