Renewables Outpace Coal for Global Power

Quick Smiles:

• Renewable energy provided more electricity than any other source in the year’s first half.
• Solar and wind met 100% of new global power demand.
• China led by adding more clean energy than all other nations combined last year.

Renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind, generated more electricity in the first half of the year than any other source, marking a significant step forward for clean power worldwide.

Developing nations now lead in solar capacity, as solar power costs have dropped 99.9% since 1975, making it more accessible for low and middle-income countries.

China’s expansion of renewables last year surpassed the combined effort of all other countries, leading to a 2% drop in its fossil fuel use even as it increased coal capacity.

Malgorzata Wiatros-Motyka, a senior analyst at the energy think tank Ember, said,

“2025 marked the beginning of a shift where clean power is keeping pace with demand growth.”

Lower-income countries now generate most global solar electricity, allowing them to expand access quickly without the lengthy timelines and expenses of thermal power plants.

Every country can harness the sun and wind, reducing their reliance on imported fossil fuels and eliminating the need to trade foreign currency for energy resources.

The BBC noted that “Pakistan, for example, imported solar panels capable of generating 17 gigawatts (GW) of solar power in 2024, double the previous year and the equivalent of roughly a third of the country’s current electricity generation capacity.”

South Africa, Algeria, and Botswana have also benefited from the solar boom, while wind energy prices have not fallen as rapidly as solar, posing challenges for some countries.

These positive trends highlight the accelerating success of renewables across the globe. Let’s continue sharing the triumphs of clean energy to brighten our world!

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