Renewables Surpass Coal Globally in First Half of 2025

Renewable energy sources produced more electricity than coal worldwide for the first time on record in the first half of 2025, according to an analysis by energy researchers, a milestone driven by rapid growth in solar and wind output even as global electricity demand rose. The analysis found that solar and wind together added more generation than the increase in demand between January and June, with renewables producing 5,072 terawatt hours compared with 4,896 terawatt hours from coal over the same period.

Researchers analyzed monthly electricity data from 88 countries representing roughly 93 percent of global demand to construct a near-global picture. They reported global electricity demand rose 2.6 percent in the first half of 2025, an increase of about 369 TWh from the same period in 2024. Solar generation grew by a record 31 percent and accounted for about 83 percent of the additional electricity demand. Wind generation rose 7.7 percent. Overall fossil fuel generation declined modestly, by roughly 0.3 percent, a drop of about 27 TWh, and the group estimated power sector emissions fell 0.2 percent.

Małgorzata Wiatros-Motyka, a senior electricity analyst and lead author of...