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, surpassing coal as global renewables generated 5,072 TWh compared with 4,896 TWh from coal. Rapid growth in solar and wind met all new electricity demand and even cut coal and gas use, though progress varies by region. China and India drove most of the clean-energy expansion, while the US and EU saw higher fossil-fuel output due to rising demand and weaker wind and hydro generation.

China added more solar and wind capacity than the rest of the world combined, trimming its fossil-fuel output by two percent, and India also reduced coal and gas use through strong renewable investment. Solar alone accounted for eighty-three percent of global demand growth, boosted by sharp cost declines and fast uptake in lower-income countries such as Pakistan and several African nations.

China’s clean-tech exports hit a record twenty billion dollars in August 2025, highlighting its dominance in solar, battery, and electric-vehicle supply chains. Despite regional differences, the shift marks a key turning point as clean power begins to keep pace with global electricity demand.