Solar and wind generation grew faster than global electricity demand in the first half of 2025, marking a milestone moment for the global power sector as renewables overtook coal’s share in the electricity mix.

According to the Global Electricity Mid-Year Insights 2025 report, solar and wind together exceeded the 2.6% rise in electricity demand — equivalent to 369 TWh — between January and June. Solar alone accounted for 83% of this increase, generating an additional 306 TWh, up 31% year-on-year. Wind generation grew by 97 TWh, or 7.7%.

Overall fossil fuel generation fell marginally by 0.3%, driven by declines in China and India that outweighed modest increases in the EU and US. Global coal generation dropped by 0.6%, while renewables climbed 7.7% to reach 5,072 TWh – overtaking coal for the first time on record. Coal output fell to 4,896 TWh over the same period.

As a result, renewables’ share of global electricity rose to 34.3% (up from 32.7%), while coal’s share declined to 33.1% (down from 34.2%).

Record-breaking solar growth

The first half of 2025 saw record solar expansion, increasing the technology’s share of global electricity generation from 6.9% to 8.8%. China accounted for 55% of the world’s total solar growth, followed by the US (14%), the EU (12%), India (5.6%), and Brazil (3.2%). Four countries now generate over a quarter of their electricity from solar, and 29 nations exceeded the 10% mark — up from 22 last year and just 11 in 2021.

Hydro generation fell significantly, bioenergy dipped slightly, and nuclear output rose modestly, but clean power sources overall continued to expand faster than total demand.

Fossil fuel generation declines in Asia

Among the top CO₂-emitting economies – China, India, the EU and the US – fossil generation declined in Asia but increased in Western markets.

China and India both saw clean generation outpace demand, leading to a fall in fossil output. In the EU and US, however, lower hydro and wind availability meant fossil fuels filled the gap, resulting in slight increases.

Despite electricity demand rising globally, emissions fell slightly by 12 MtCO₂ in the first half of 2025. Declines in China (-46 MtCO₂) and India (-24 MtCO₂) offset increases in the EU (+13 MtCO₂) and the US (+33 MtCO₂).

A pivotal moment?

The report describes the surge in solar and wind as a signal that fossil fuel demand in the power sector is nearing its peak. It calls the trend ‘a pivotal moment to be ambitious and accelerate the transition,’ stressing that falling costs for renewables give governments a growing opportunity to set more ambitious targets.

‘Accelerating clean energy deployment is now essential to stay on track for net-zero,’ the report says. ‘Doing so would maximise the economic, social, health and environmental benefits of clean power, in addition to reducing carbon emissions and keeping climate change targets within reach.’

Half of the world is already past its peak in fossil generation, it notes, but some emerging economies still face higher costs of capital and infrastructure constraints. The report emphasises that support from mature economies – particularly those with historic emissions — will be crucial to overcoming these barriers and maintaining progress towards net-zero goals.

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Commenting within the report, Małgorzata Wiatros-Motyka Senior Electricity Analyst, Ember, said: “We are seeing the first signs of a crucial turning point. Solar and wind are now growing fast enough to meet the world’s growing appetite for electricity.

“This marks the beginning of a shift where clean power is keeping pace with demand growth. As costs of technologies continue to fall, now is the perfect moment to embrace the economic, social and health benefits that come with increased solar, wind and batteries.”