For the first time in history, renewable sources especially wind and solar generated more electricity than coal worldwide. This occurred in the first half of 2025, according to a report by the think tank Ember.
From January to June, renewables generated around 5.072 TWhwhile coal accounted for 4.896 TWhThis progress was driven by strong growth in solar power (up 31%) and wind power (7.7%) during the period.
The recent surge is mainly concentrated in China and India. In China, solar and wind power generation grew significantly, while the use of fossil fuels dropped by 2%. In India, the increase in solar and wind contributed to a 3.1% decrease in coal and gas usage.
The report points to this as a decisive moment in the global energy journey. According to experts, this shift shows that renewables are already capable of meeting the growth in electricity demand without relying heavily on fossil fuels.
Even so, some challenges remain. In regions such as the U.S. and Europe, coal power plants still saw an increase due to lower renewable output or demand spikes that pushed some thermal plants to operate more.
The International Energy Agency (IEA) highlights that renewables could surpass coal in global power generation between 2025 and 2026, depending on climate and economic factors.
This moment represents more than just a statistic: it signals a structural shift in the power sector. Renewables are no longer playing a supporting role they are taking the lead in energy supply. The road ahead calls for increased investment, grid modernization, efficient storage, and strong policies to consolidate this progress.
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