Technology and Science07 October, 20252 min read
Renewable Energy Surpasses Coal as World’s Largest Electricity Source in 2025
This article is an automated aggregation of coverage from news outlets. Our editorials offer in-depth analysis curated by the NewsCord team.
Renewable energy surpassed coal as the largest electricity source in early 2025. Solar and wind growth met 100% of the global electricity demand increase.
5 outlets told this the same way.
Renewable Energy Surpasses Coal
In a significant shift in the global energy landscape, renewable energy has surpassed coal to become the world's largest source of electricity in the first half of 2025. This milestone is reported by multiple sources, including NewsBytes, Public Radio of Armenia, and Kursiv Media, all citing data from the energy think tank Ember.
“Renewable energy surpassed coal to become the world's largest source of electricity in the first half of 2025, according to the global energy think tank Ember.”
The transition is largely attributed to the rapid growth in solar and wind power, which has been able to meet the increasing global electricity demand. This marks a historic moment in the energy sector, highlighting the growing importance of clean energy sources in the fight against climate change.
Renewable Energy Growth Trends
The growth in renewable energy is primarily driven by significant advancements in solar and wind power. According to Kursiv Media, solar power alone accounted for 83% of the increase in global electricity demand, growing by nearly one-third compared to the same period in 2024. Wind power also saw a notable increase, rising by just over 7%.
This rapid expansion is largely attributed to efforts in China and India, which have significantly increased their renewable energy capacities. China, in particular, added more renewable power than all other countries combined, reducing its fossil fuel use by 2%.
Energy Transition in Developing Countries
The role of developing countries, particularly China and India, is pivotal in this transition. Kursiv Media highlights that India's renewable generation grew more than three times faster than its electricity demand, leading to a reduction in coal use by 3.1% and gas use by 34%.
“India’s renewable generation grew more than three times faster than its electricity demand, cutting coal use by 3.1% and gas use by 34%.”
This contrasts with the situation in wealthier nations, as reported by Public Radio of Armenia, where there is an increased reliance on fossil fuels. This divergence underscores the varying approaches and capabilities of different countries in addressing energy needs and climate goals.
Global Renewable Energy Trends
Despite the overall positive trend in renewable energy growth, the global energy landscape remains complex. Public Radio of Armenia points out that while there is a significant shift towards renewables, the overall picture is mixed, with some regions still heavily reliant on fossil fuels.
This complexity is not as prominently featured in NewsBytes, which focuses more on the achievement of renewables surpassing coal. Kursiv Media, meanwhile, provides a detailed account of the contributions of specific countries and energy sources, offering a more nuanced view of the global energy transition.