Solar and wind power are no longer just keeping up with global electricity demand — they are surpassing it.
According to new analysis by the energy research center Ember, in the first half of 2025 the combined generation from solar and wind exceeded the growth in global electricity demand. This shift led to a decline in both coal and gas production compared to the same period last year.
For the first time in history, renewables have produced more energy worldwide than coal.

“We are seeing the first signs of a decisive turning point,” said Ember’s senior electricity analyst, Malgorzata Wiatrós-Motyka.
“Solar and wind are now growing fast enough to meet the world’s rising electricity demand. This marks the moment when clean energy begins to scale alongside demand growth.”

SOLAR POWER TAKING THE LEAD

In the first half of 2025, global electricity demand rose by 2.6%, adding an additional 369 TWh compared to last year.
A remarkable 83% of this increase was met by solar power alone, which grew by 306 TWh, or 31%.
Together with steady wind growth, renewables not only covered the increased demand but also began replacing fossil fuels.

Electricity generation from coal fell by 0.6% (-31 TWh), from gas by 0.2% (-6 TWh), and total fossil fuel generation dropped by 0.3% (-27 TWh).
As a result, global power sector emissions decreased by 0.2%.

A GLOBAL TURNING POINT

According to Ember, this is not a one-time fluctuation.
Solar and wind generation is now growing so rapidly that it is not only meeting new demand but also pushing down fossil fuel output.
As investments accelerate, Ember predicts that clean energy will continue to outpace demand growth for years to come — driving fossil fuels into long-term decline.

However, progress is uneven across regions.

Among the world’s four largest electricity markets — China, India, the U.S., and the EU — fossil fuel generation dropped in two countries and rose in the other two.

China remains the global leader in clean energy expansion, adding more solar and wind capacity than the rest of the world combined. In H1 2025, its fossil fuel generation fell by 2% (-58.7 TWh).

India saw clean energy grow at three times the rate of demand. Electricity demand rose by only 1.3% (+12 TWh) — much lower than the 9% increase the previous year. Fossil fuel output dropped sharply: coal by 3.1% (-22 TWh) and gas by 34% (-7.1 TWh).

The U.S. and EU, however, saw fossil fuel use increase.
In the U.S., demand growth outpaced renewable expansion, increasing fossil generation.
In the EU, weaker wind and hydropower forced a greater reliance on coal and gas to meet demand.
 

WHAT’S NEXT?

Nearly half of the world has already passed peak fossil fuel generation, and according to Ember the trend is clear:
clean energy can keep pace with growing electricity demand.

But to maintain this progress, rapid expansion of solar, wind, and battery storage is essential.

“Solar and wind are no longer marginal technologies — they are the driving force of the global energy system,”
said Sonia Dunlop, CEO of the Global Solar Council.
“The fact that renewables have surpassed coal for the first time is historic. But to sustain this progress, governments and industry must increase investments in clean energy and storage to ensure affordable, reliable power for all.”

Ember’s analyst Wiatrós-Motyka added:

“With technology prices continuing to fall, now is the best moment to take advantage of the economic, social, and health benefits that come from scaling solar, wind, and battery systems.”

If you’ve ever considered switching to solar energy — now is the time.

To find a reliable and trustworthy solar installation company in your area with competitive pricing, you’ll need just a day or two.
Call the leading providers, listen to their offers, but evaluate not only by price — consider quality, partner companies, company history, and customer feedback.
Compare everything, and only then make your decision.

Let’s work together so that one day, clean energy in Armenia also surpasses fossil fuels — and becomes the leader of our energy market.

Source here: https://electrek.co/2025/10/06/in-a-first-renewables-generate-more-power-than-coal-globally/