Renewables Overtake Coal Globally for First Time in Historic Energy Shift

In a landmark moment for the global energy transition, renewable energy sources have overtaken coal generation for the first time on record during the first half of 2025, according to new analysis from Ember, a global energy think tank.

Renewables grew by 363 TWh (+7.7%) to reach 5,072 TWh, while coal generation fell by 31 TWh to 4,896 TWh. As a result, renewables' share of global electricity rose to 34.3% from 32.7%, while coal's share fell to 33.1% from 34.2%.

The shift was driven primarily by a record surge in solar power, which grew by 306 TWh (31%) in the first half of 2025, covering 83% of the rise in global electricity demand. Wind power also contributed significantly with 97 TWh (+7.7%) of growth.

'Solar and wind are now growing fast enough to meet the world's growing appetite for electricity,' said Małgorzata Wiatros-Motyka, Senior Electricity Analyst at Ember. 'This marks the beginning of a shift where clean power is keeping pace with demand growth.'

UN Secretary-General António Guterres responded to the news on social media, stating that 'the clean energy future is no longer a distant promise – it's here.' He urged the international community to 'seize this historic opportunity and supercharge the global shift towards a better future for all.'

The International Energy Agency projects that global renewable power capacity will increase by 4,600 gigawatts by 2030, roughly equivalent to adding China, the European Union, and Japan's total power generation capacity combined.