First half of 2025 saw renewable energy surpass coal as the world’s largest electricity source, with solar power leading a 31% jump in production.
Renewables Surpass Coal in Global Energy Mix
According to data released by British think‑tank Ember, for the first time worldwide, the amount of electricity generated from renewable sources exceeded that from coal power plants during the first half of the year. The long‑standing dominance of coal has reversed, as renewable output—mainly from solar—rose while coal production fell slightly. Gas and nuclear output remained roughly unchanged.
Solar PV Leads Growth
Solar photovoltaic installations are driving the biggest share of renewable expansion. Falling costs and the benefit of grid independence have accelerated solar deployment worldwide. The boom has extended beyond developed markets; in countries such as Pakistan and across Africa, solar PV is expanding rapidly. A new Ember analysis confirms that solar and wind are now core technologies for the global energy system. In the first half of 2025, photovoltaic output rose 31 % (306 TWh), while wind grew 7.7 % (97 TWh). Production from hydropower and biomass/biopower declined.
Major Contributors
China contributed 55 % of the PV growth, followed by the United States (14 %), the European Union (12 %), India (5.6 %) and Brazil (3.2 %), according to Ember. These regions are the leading drivers of the global solar expansion.
Global Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trend
The shift toward renewables has led to a modest reduction in worldwide greenhouse‑gas emissions. The primary declines came from China and India, whereas emissions in the European Union and the United States have increased slightly relative to the first half of 2024.
IEA Forecast: Renewable Capacity to Double by 2030
A report from the International Energy Agency predicts a strong rise in renewable energy production over the coming years. By 2030, global renewable capacity is expected to double, effectively adding the total generating capacity of China, the European Union and Japan to the world system, according to the agency.
Challenges Facing Rapid Expansion
While solar and other renewables will grow faster over the next five years than they did in the previous five, challenges such as grid integration, weak supply‑chain points and financing remain significant obstacles, warned the IEA.
