Solar Wind Power Surpasses Coal Globally, Signals Clean Energy Shift

In the first half of 2025, global solar and wind power generation grew significantly, outpacing the increase in electricity demand and surpassing coal for the first time as the largest electricity source, according to energy think tank Ember. Solar generation rose by 31% and wind by 7.7%, contributing over 400 terawatt hours, which exceeded the overall demand growth, enabling a slight decline in fossil fuel generation globally. China and India saw reductions in fossil fuel use, while the US and EU experienced slight increases in fossil generation due to differing demand and generation patterns. The International Energy Agency (IEA) forecasts that global renewable capacity will more than double by 2030, driven primarily by solar photovoltaic growth, supported by declining costs and faster permitting, with India expected to become the second-largest renewables market after China. Despite challenges such as supply chain constraints and grid integration issues, corporate confidence remains strong, though offshore wind faces a weaker outlook due to policy shifts and cost inflation. These developments underscore a pivotal shift toward clean energy’s ability to meet rising electricity demands and reduce emissions, though ongoing investment and policy support remain critical.