Renewable Energy Surpasses Coal in Global Power Production
The international academic journal *Science*, published by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), selected “rapidly growing renewable energy” as its 2025 “Breakthrough of the Year.” This follows analyses indicating that renewable energy generation surpassed fossil fuel-based power production 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 that analyzes global power systems through data, renewable energy surpassed coal in global electricity production for the first time this year. From January to June, renewable energy sources—including solar and wind—generated approximately 5,072 terawatt-hours (TWh) of electricity worldwide. This exceeded the 4,896 TWh produced 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 met by solar and wind energy. This underscores a significant shift in energy usage paradigms.
Renewable energy adoption is expected to continue growing. In September, Chinese President Xi Jinping declared in a UN speech that China would reduce carbon emissions by up to 10% within a decade by significantly expanding wind and solar energy without cutting energy use. Meanwhile, Africa and South Asia have seen a surge in solar panel imports.
◇China Leads Global Renewable Energy Expansion
Ember also highlighted that China and India have driven the expansion of renewable energy. As the world’s largest electricity consumer, China was once perceived as a major contributor to air pollution and carbon emissions. Its carbon emissions still exceed those of all other developed nations combined. However, the landscape has changed.
Solar panels now cover deserts and the Tibetan Plateau, while wind turbines—some reaching 300 meters in height—line coasts and mountain ridges. In fact, compared to the same period last year, China reduced fossil fuel-based power generation by 2% and expanded solar power by 43% and wind power by 16%. During the first half of this year, 55% of the global increase in solar power generation came from China. The country’s solar and wind capacity is now sufficient to power the entire United States, a result of years of subsidies for the industry.
China also produces the majority of new renewable energy equipment worldwide. It accounts for 80% of global solar cells, 70% of newly produced wind turbines, and 70% of lithium batteries.
◇Shifting Global Energy Landscape
Europe and Global South nations have begun adopting Chinese-made solar, battery, and wind equipment.
India recently increased wind power generation by 29% and solar power by 31%, reducing coal and gas usage by 3.1%. In Pakistan, imports of Chinese solar panels surged fivefold between 2022 and 2024, driven by the cost competitiveness of Chinese renewable energy equipment. South Africa, facing frequent breakdowns at aging coal plants, has expanded solar and wind power facilities. Ethiopia, grappling with drought-induced instability in hydropower reliance, is also scaling up solar and wind energy.
◇Persistent Challenges
*Science* noted, “However, many practical challenges remain for the expansion of renewable energy generation.” A notable example is the recent opposition or slowdown in renewable energy transitions by some countries, including the United States. This year, U.S. President Trump signed an executive order aimed at expanding coal production and reiterated support for coal-fired power plants, accelerating this trend. Indeed, fossil fuel-based power generation in the U.S. and the European Union (EU) increased compared to previous years from January to June.