Renewable Energy Overtakes Coal as World's Top Electricity Source
Renewable energy has surpassed coal as the world's leading electricity source for the first time, driven by significant wind power growth and China's leadership in adoption.
Overview
- Renewable energy has achieved a historic milestone, becoming the world's primary source of electricity, surpassing coal for the first time ever.
- This significant global shift is largely attributed to the substantial growth in wind power generation, which increased by 7.7% and also surpassed fossil fuels.
- China played a pivotal role in this global transition, leading the world in the addition of new renewable energy capacity.
- China's robust investment in renewables enabled it to surpass its own fossil fuel generation, contributing to a 2% decrease in its overall fossil fuel use.
- The combined efforts and advancements in renewable technologies globally are reshaping the energy landscape, marking a critical turning point towards sustainable power.
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Analysis
Center-leaning sources frame this story by highlighting the rapid growth of solar and wind as a "turning point" in the energy transition, emphasizing the urgency to move away from "polluting sources." They underscore the environmental benefits of renewables while presenting US policy shifts away from clean energy as significant "challenges" that impede progress and have long-term impacts.
"Despite regional differences, the growth in renewable energy marks a significant shift towards cleaner power sources meeting global electricity demand."
BBC News"The findings suggest it is possible for the world to wean off polluting sources of power — even as demand for electricity skyrockets — with continued investment in renewables including solar, wind, hydropower, bioenergy and geothermal energies."
Associated PressArticles (3)
FAQ
The main factors were significant growth in wind and solar power generation, with solar alone meeting 83% of the increase in global electricity demand in early 2025, as well as China's leadership in expanding renewable energy capacity and reducing fossil fuel use.
China played a pivotal role by leading the world in adding new renewable energy capacity and investing heavily in renewables, which enabled it to surpass its fossil fuel generation and contributed to a 2% decrease in its overall fossil fuel use.
Coal generation has declined by about 0.6% globally, and overall fossil fuel electricity generation fell by approximately 0.3%, with coal generating 31 terawatt-hours less year-over-year as renewables displaced fossil fuels in electricity supply.
Renewable energy sources like wind and solar are expected to account for 37% to 74% of world electricity generation by 2050, while electricity generated from coal is projected to decline significantly, by 35% to as much as 94% depending on the scenario.
In the US, renewables have made significant progress, surpassing coal in energy generation by 2023, with coal generation falling by 68% since its peak in 2007 due to clean energy transition efforts.
History
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