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In a landmark moment for the global energy landscape, renewable energy sources have overtaken coal to become the largest source of electricity generation in the world — a pivotal shift that signals both the accelerating pace of clean energy deployment and a transformation of how power is produced and consumed on a planetary scale.
This shift, confirmed by new data from the independent energy think tank Ember, shows that in the first half of 2025, renewable sources such as solar, wind, hydroelectric and other clean technologies collectively generated more electricity globally than coal — a fuel that dominated electricity production for more than half a century.
Global Clean Energy Growth Outpaces Coal
According to Ember’s Global Electricity Mid-Year Insights 2025, renewables now contribute a larger share of the world’s electricity mix than coal, driven in particular by rapid expansion of solar and wind capacity around the world. In many regions, renewables actually supplied 100% of the increase in electricity demand, while coal use slightly declined.
This trend was widely reported by international media, including the BBC, which described the shift as a “historic first” and a clear illustration of how fast renewable technologies are scaling.
For decades, coal was the backbone of electricity generation — valued for its energy density and low cost. Yet its contribution to climate-warming emissions made it a target of global mitigation efforts. Today, renewables are no longer just alternative sources; they are now the backbone of the world’s electricity supply.
What’s Driving the Renewable Revolution
The rapid rise of renewables is the result of several converging trends:
- Plummeting costs: Solar photovoltaic (PV) technology has seen dramatic cost declines over the last decade. In some markets, utility-scale solar is now cheaper than existing coal plants, making new renewable deployments financially attractive.
- Massive new capacity: Countries like China and India have installed record amounts of solar and wind capacity, providing much of the growth in clean energy infrastructure. China alone added more solar and wind capacity in the first half of 2025 than the rest of the world combined.
- Policy support and electrification: Global climate commitments, national renewable mandates, and electrification of transportation and industry have boosted electricity demand while aligning it more with low-carbon sources.
- Innovation in grid integration: Advances in energy storage and grid flexibility have improved how renewable power is integrated into electricity networks, reducing historical reliability concerns.
As a result, solar and wind have been the primary drivers of renewable growth, with solar generation climbing particularly fast — often outpacing installed capacity forecasts.
Uneven Regional Patterns
While the global picture is a clear win for clean energy, the shift is not uniform across all regions.
In developing economies, particularly in Asia, renewables are now often the fastest-growing electricity source, both meeting new demand and displacing coal. In China and India, coal’s share in electricity generation has actually declined for the first time since the 1970s — underscoring how fast renewables are scaling in historically coal-dependent nations.
In contrast, some wealthier nations such as the United States and parts of Europe have experienced periods of increased fossil fuel use due to grid balancing challenges, weak hydro resource years, or policy shifts. This underscores that while the global average favours renewables, local energy mixes still vary significantly.
A notable example domestically comes from Texas, where in 2025 solar energy alone generated more electricity on the main grid than coal for the first time, reflecting how quickly renewables can reshape even traditional energy strongholds.
Coal’s Waning Dominance and Dual Trends
Coal’s decline in power generation is most visible in regions investing heavily in renewables. But globally, coal still retains a significant footprint — especially where electricity demand is high or supply reliability is a concern. A recent Financial Times report highlighted that China continues to build and commission new coal power capacity alongside its renewable boom, pointing to a dual-track strategy where coal remains part of the energy mix even as clean energy expands.
This nuanced reality shows that while renewables have overtaken coal in electricity generation for the first time, coal is not disappearing overnight. The reduction in coal use in places like China and India — the world’s largest coal consumers — is partly balanced by ongoing coal expansions in some markets. However, the overall global trend remains decisively toward clean energy growth.
Environmental and Climate Impacts
From a climate perspective, this milestone is symbolically and practically significant. Electricity generation is one of the largest sources of global greenhouse gas emissions. Moving away from coal toward renewables has the potential to reduce the carbon intensity of electricity and slow climate change.
Yet the broader climate outcome depends on continued growth in renewables, energy efficiency, and reductions in other fossil fuels like natural gas and oil. Even with renewable growth, global electricity demand continues to rise due to electrification of transport, data centres, AI infrastructure and industry.
Analysts emphasise that while this milestone represents progress, it is not sufficient on its own to meet the ambitious goals of the Paris Agreement without further deep emission cuts across sectors.
Looking Ahead: What’s Next for the Energy Transition
Experts and analysts see this milestone not as a conclusion but as a turning point that sets the stage for even faster clean energy growth.
According to international energy forecasts, renewables are expected to continue climbing rapidly, potentially doubling their output by the end of the decade. This expansion will be driven by continued cost declines, innovation in grid and storage technologies, and stronger climate targets — particularly in markets such as the European Union, parts of Asia, and Africa.
At the same time, challenges remain. Grid stability and storage, supply chain constraints for clean technologies, and policy uncertainty in key countries can all slow progress. Nonetheless, the transition to renewables now appears irreversible at the global level, with long-term implications for geopolitics, energy security, and economic competitiveness.
Why This Matters for the Future
Renewables overtaking coal marks a transformative moment in the world’s energy evolution. For decades, coal was the anchor of global electricity. Today, that role is being eclipsed by cleaner, more sustainable sources. This change reflects not just technological progress, but also shifting economics, policy priorities, and public demand for climate action.
The impacts are far-reaching:
- For policymakers, it signals that ambitious climate and energy targets can translate into real structural change.
- For investors and businesses, it highlights where future growth and innovation are converging.
- For society, it represents a step toward cleaner air, more resilient energy systems, and a lower-carbon future.
As the world navigates this transition, the energy story of the coming decade will likely be defined by how rapidly and equitably renewables continue to replace fossil fuels — not just in electricity, but across all sectors of energy and economy.
