Renewables Generate More Electricity Than Coal for the First Time

A Historic Turning Point in the Global Energy Story

For the first time ever, renewables produced more electricity than coal, marking a historic milestone in the world’s clean-energy transition.

A Conversation About Change: Has the Energy Balance Finally Shifted?

Imagine this moment with me, a world where coal, once the king of electricity, has finally been overtaken by cleaner, greener rivals. That moment has arrived.
In early 2025, renewables, led by solar and wind, officially generated more electricity than coal worldwide. This isn’t just a statistic; it’s a transformation decades in the making.

Let’s walk through what actually happened, why it matters, who’s driving the change, and what challenges lie ahead.

The Milestone Explained: What Really Happened

For decades, coal ruled the global electricity mix. But in the first half of 2025, renewable sources reached an unprecedented milestone.

According to multiple global energy reports, renewables, primarily solar and wind, produced about 5,072 terawatt-hours (TWh) of electricity, while coal produced around 4,896 TWh. That’s a narrow but historic lead.

In terms of global share, renewables climbed to 34.3 percent of total generation, compared with coal’s 33.1 percent.

What’s behind this surge?

Solar energy jumped by roughly 31 percent in output year-over-year.
Wind power grew by around 7–8 percent.
Meanwhile, coal generation fell slightly as plants closed and demand for cleaner power soared.

This shift didn’t happen everywhere equally, it’s a mosaic of national efforts and global momentum.

Why This Moment Matters More Than Numbers

You might ask, “So what? Is this just about charts and statistics?” Not really.
It’s about how the world now produces and consumes energy, and how economies are evolving.

For the first time, we can say that economic growth and clean-energy growth are happening together. In previous decades, electricity demand rose only when fossil fuels did. Now, renewable power is meeting that demand head-on, and doing it sustainably.

As Ember’s senior analyst put it:

“Solar and wind are now growing fast enough to meet the world’s rising appetite for electricity.”

This isn’t just a data point, it’s a sign of a global power transformation where technology, policy, and environmental responsibility finally align.

Who’s Leading the Global Energy Transformation?

Let’s take a closer look at which regions are fueling this clean-energy revolution.

China: The Renewable Powerhouse

China remains the world’s largest energy producer, and now it’s also the biggest driver of renewables.
In 2025, China added more solar and wind capacity than any other nation. The country’s renewable generation rose so rapidly that its fossil-fuel production, including coal, actually declined by about 2 percent.

This shows a clear commitment to long-term transition, even as China still burns more coal than any other country.

India: Rising Fast on Solar and Wind

India’s renewable sector is expanding at breathtaking speed. Solar output grew by roughly 29 percent, while wind rose by 31 percent in the same period. That helped push down the country’s dependence on coal and natural gas, a crucial step for one of the fastest-growing economies in the world.

United States: Progress Mixed with Setbacks

In the U.S., electricity demand jumped sharply due to industrial growth and electrification.
Although renewables expanded, coal generation rose by 17 percent during early 2025 to meet peak demand. Still, clean-energy investments and new incentives are helping the U.S. shift direction in the long run.

Europe: Phasing Out Coal Step by Step

Across Europe, renewable electricity continues to rise steadily as coal plants shut down permanently. Even with short-term fluctuations in gas markets, countries like Germany, Spain, and the UK remain on track for net-zero power systems.

The Challenges Behind the Victory

It’s easy to celebrate the numbers, but the path ahead is still complex.
Here are the major challenges that could shape what happens next:

Infrastructure Gaps and Grid Limitations

Renewables depend on modern grids, but many regions still rely on old, centralized systems. Without smart grids, battery storage, and flexible transmission lines, renewable power can’t always reach consumers efficiently.

Uneven Global Transition

Not every country moves at the same pace. Some developing regions still depend heavily on coal for affordable electricity, and without global financing or technology transfer, they risk being left behind.

Weather and Resource Variability

Solar and wind are intermittent by nature. A cloudy season or low-wind months can slow output, forcing utilities to fall back on fossil fuels temporarily. This variability requires investment in energy storage and diverse renewables, including hydro and geothermal.

Economic and Political Pressures

Coal remains politically powerful in some economies due to jobs, exports, and regional influence. A smooth transition demands strong policies that retrain workers, attract renewable investment, and ensure energy reliability.

Environmental and Economic Implications

Now let’s unpack what this turning point means for the planet, and your wallet.

Environmental Impact: A Cleaner Path Forward

Coal is one of the dirtiest energy sources ever used. Phasing it out reduces carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, and particulate emissions dramatically.
The current decline could save hundreds of millions of tons of CO₂ annually if sustained, contributing to global climate goals.

Cleaner air also means fewer health problems, lower medical costs, and stronger ecosystems. This isn’t abstract, it’s something people can literally breathe.

Economic Impact: From Expensive to Profitable

Renewables are no longer a luxury; they’re a smart investment.
Solar and wind costs have dropped by nearly 90 percent in the last decade. That’s why new renewable projects are now cheaper than building or running new coal plants in most regions.

Beyond cost, renewables create millions of jobs in manufacturing, installation, and maintenance, a lifeline for economies transitioning away from fossil fuels.

Energy Independence

Another benefit? Reduced reliance on imported fuels.
Countries like Morocco, Spain, and Australia can now harness domestic sunlight and wind instead of buying coal or oil abroad, boosting energy security and national resilience.

The North African Example: Morocco and the Future of Regional Energy

If you’re reading this from North Africa, this news carries special weight.
Morocco, for instance, already operates one of the largest concentrated solar plants in the world, Noor Ouarzazate, and is rapidly expanding both solar and wind capacity.

With abundant sunlight and strong Atlantic winds, the region could become a renewable-energy hub linking Africa and Europe.
Lower costs mean local industries can access more stable and sustainable electricity, while exports of green hydrogen or power could open new revenue streams.

For citizens, this transformation means cleaner air, fewer power outages, and potentially lower long-term costs.

Looking Ahead: What Comes After Coal’s Decline

So, what does the future look like now that renewables have overtaken coal?

Accelerated Growth Forecast

The International Energy Agency (IEA) projects that renewable capacity will double before 2030, driven by technology innovation, policy incentives, and consumer demand.

Solar will likely remain the fastest-growing source, while wind continues to provide stable large-scale generation.

Storage and Smart Grids Become Essential

To keep pace, countries must expand battery networks and invest in AI-driven smart grids capable of balancing fluctuating supply and demand in real time.

Developing Nations: The Next Frontier

Emerging economies have a golden opportunity: instead of repeating the fossil-fuel cycle, they can build clean systems from the ground up.
This requires international funding, private-sector participation, and strong policy frameworks, but the rewards are enormous.

The Global Climate Equation

To stay within the 1.5 °C target, experts stress that renewable growth must be paired with rapid fossil-fuel reduction.
In other words: solar and wind need to grow faster, and coal, oil, and gas must decline faster.

A Defining Moment, Not the Final Chapter

Let’s pause and reflect.
Renewables overtaking coal isn’t the end of the story, it’s the start of a new one. It proves that the global energy transition is possible, practical, and already underway.

But progress isn’t automatic. Governments, investors, and individuals must continue driving innovation, reforming infrastructure, and ensuring that no region is left behind.

So next time you see a solar panel on a rooftop or a wind turbine turning on the horizon, remember, these aren’t just symbols of progress. They’re the engines of a new era of power.

Final Thought: Your Role in the Clean-Energy Future

As a reader, you might wonder what this means for you personally.
It means every home that installs a solar system, every company that chooses green power, and every policymaker who supports clean infrastructure adds momentum to this global transformation.

The age of coal defined the industrial past.
The age of renewables will define the sustainable future.
And that future, finally, has begun.