Renewable energy becomes the world’s leading source of electricity

Renewable energy became the world’s largest source of electricity for the first time in early 2025, overtaking coal as global renewables reached 5,072 TWh compared with 4,896 TWh from coal, according to Ember (Argus Media). Rapid growth in solar and wind met all new electricity demand and even reduced coal and gas use, although the shift is uneven, with China and India leading clean energy expansion while the US and EU increased fossil-fuel generation due to demand rises and weaker wind and hydro output. The IEA warns US renewable growth may slow further this decade (IEA). Despite adding new coal plants, China installed more solar and wind capacity than the rest of the world combined, helping cut its fossil fuel output by two percent, while India also reduced coal and gas use through strong renewable investment (Renewable Institute). Solar accounted for eighty-three percent of global demand growth, driven by dramatic cost declines, with adoption surging across lower-income countries including Pakistan and several African nations. Meanwhile, China’s clean-tech exports hit a record twenty billion dollars in August 2025, underscoring its dominance in solar, battery and electric-vehicle supply chains. Despite regional differences, Ember says this marks a crucial turning point as clean power begins to keep pace with global electricity demand.