Renewable Energy Surpasses Coal in Global Electricity for First Time

The international academic journal *Science*, published by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), selected “rapidly growing renewable energy” as the “Breakthrough of the Year” for 2025. This follows analyses indicating that renewable energy generation has surpassed fossil fuel energy generation for the first time this year.

◇ Renewable energy usage surpasses coal for the first time

Since the Industrial Revolution, humanity has long relied on fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and gas for energy. The shift began this year.

According to Ember, an energy think tank based in London, UK, that analyzes global power systems through data, renewable energy has surpassed coal in global electricity production for the first time this year. From January to June, global electricity generated through renewable energy sources, including solar and wind, amounted to approximately 5,072 terawatt-hours (TWh). This exceeds the 4,896 TWh generated by coal during the same period. Coal remains the fossil fuel with the highest carbon emissions in the power sector.

Additionally, the increase in global electricity demand from January to June was entirely covered by solar and wind power. This reflects a significant shift in energy consumption patterns.

Renewable energy usage is expected to continue increasing. In September, Chinese President Xi Jinping declared in a UN speech that without reducing energy use, the country would significantly expand wind and solar power to reduce carbon emissions by up to 10% within a decade. Meanwhile, imports of solar panels have surged in Africa and South Asia.

◇ China leads the expansion of renewable energy

Ember also analyzed that China and India have led the expansion of renewable energy. As the world’s largest electricity consumer, China was once perceived as a major contributor to air pollution and massive carbon emissions. Even now, its carbon emissions exceed the combined total of other developed nations. However, the landscape has recently changed.

Solar panels are being installed across deserts and the Tibetan Plateau, while wind turbines reaching up to 300 meters in height are lining coasts and mountain ridges. Compared to the same period last year, China reduced fossil fuel-based power generation by 2% and expanded solar power generation by 43% and wind power generation by 16%. 55% of the global increase in solar power generation during the first half of this year came from China. Currently, China’s solar and wind power facility capacity is large enough to power the entire United States. This is the result of years of industry growth supported by subsidies.

China is also the country that produces the majority of new renewable energy core equipment worldwide. 80% of global solar cells, 70% of newly produced wind turbines, and 70% of lithium batteries are manufactured in China.

◇ Changing global energy landscape

Not only Europe but also Global South countries have begun to rapidly adopt Chinese-made solar, battery, and wind power equipment.

India has recently increased its wind power generation by 29% and solar power generation by 31%. As a result, coal and gas consumption have been reduced by 3.1%.

In Pakistan, imports of Chinese-made solar panels increased fivefold from 2022 to 2024. This change occurred as Chinese renewable energy equipment gained price competitiveness. South Africa, facing frequent breakdowns at aging coal power plants, has recently been expanding solar and wind power plants. Ethiopia is also increasingly turning to solar and wind power as reliance on hydropower has become unstable due to droughts.

◇ Persistent limitations

*Science* noted, “However, there are still many practical challenges to overcome for the expansion of renewable energy generation.” A prime example is the recent opposition or attempts to slow down the transition to renewable energy by some countries, including the United States. This trend has accelerated as U.S. President Trump signed an executive order this year aimed at expanding coal production and reiterated commitments to support coal-fired power plants. Indeed, fossil fuel-based power generation in the U.S. and the European Union (EU) increased compared to previous years from January to June.