For the first time since comparable data has been available, electricity from renewable sources has surpassed that generated with coal in the global electricity system. This milestone comes in the first half of the year and marks a turning point in the energy transition, with the advancement of solar and wind power driving the change.
Ember's Global Electricity Mid-Year Insights report places renewables with a share of 34,3% versus 33,1% for coal, after a semester in which the growth in demand was more than covered by new clean generation. The movement is not temporary: it responds to years of investment and the rapid entry into operation of new capacity, especially photovoltaic.
What the new analysis reveals
During the first six months of the year, global electricity demand advanced by 2,6% (369 TWh). In parallel, solar generation grew by 31% (more than 306 TWh added) and wind power by 7,7% (above 97 TWh), so that both technologies contributed more additional energy than the entire increase in consumptionThe result was a slight 0,3% drop in fossil fuel production.
The consequence is evident in the distribution of the mix: renewables reached 34,3% of global electricity, while coal fell to 33,1%, its lowest level in decades. According to Ember, “It is a crucial turning point” Because the installed capacity in clean technologies is already growing at a sufficient speed to keep up with—and even exceed—the new demand.
Solar takes the lead
Photovoltaics was the star of the semester: it alone covered the 83% of the global increase in demandIts share of the global mix rose to 8,8%, compared to 6,9% the previous year, with growth driven by lower costs, technological availability, and accelerated investment.
The growth map had a clear protagonist: China accounted for 55% of the solar increase, followed by the United States (14%), the European Union (12%), India (5,6%), and Brazil (3,2%). Furthermore, there are now four countries where solar electricity exceeds 25%, and at least 29 countries exceed 10%, figures that demonstrate rapid global adoption.
Wind power also pushed, with a growth of 7,7%, and, together with hydropower and bioenergy, allowed total renewable generation to reach 5.072 TWh, ahead of coal, which contributed 4.896 TWh. The gap is narrow, but symbolic: global electricity It now depends more on the wind and the sun that of coal.
Differences between large economies
The progress was not uniform. In China, clean technologies covered all the increase in demand and led to a fall in 2% in coal generation, with an associated reduction of 46 million tonnes of CO2 (-1,7%). India experienced a similar situation: less pressure from heat waves, strong solar and wind power, and a 3,1% drop in coal use, with emissions from the electricity sector 3,6% smaller.
In the United States, the rebound in consumption—linked to data centers, industry, and services—was not accompanied by sufficient clean generation. With solar power rising (+30%) but wind power remaining almost flat (+2%), coal-fired generation rebounded by 17% and emissions from the electrical system increased by 4,3%.
The European Union was penalized by drought and low wind resources, which reduced hydroelectric and wind production. Although solar energy grew by 24%, the bloc had to resort to more gas—and to a lesser extent coal—with a net increase in emissions of 4,8%. This phenomenon connects with episodes explained in The rise in coal prices due to drought and the renewable energy shutdown.
Emissions and new installed capacity
On a global scale, emissions from the electricity sector stabilized and even registered a slight drop of 12 million tons of CO2 (-0,2%). Ember estimates that, without the additional contribution from solar and wind energy, emissions would have increased by 236 million tons in the first half of the year. This increase is also reflected in articles on how Renewables reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
The momentum is supported by an unprecedented expansion of capacity: in the first six months of the year, 380 GW of new solar power, 64% more than in the same period last year. China led the deployment, with 67% of these additions, fueled by a wave of projects that came online before regulatory changes in prices. unprecedented expansion of capacity It also requires sectoral planning and mitigation measures.
What is missing to consolidate the change
The crossover between renewables and coal is historic, but it does not guarantee climate goals on its own. The report underscores the need to accelerate investments in battery storage, network reinforcement and backup solutions that ensure system stability with high penetration of variable generation.
It also calls for more financial and technical support from developed countries to emerging economies, where capital costs and technological bottlenecks They are still holding back their deployment. As the industry points out, "renewables are no longer marginal," but to consolidate their leadership, they need stable policies and frameworks that attract investment.
The underlying reading is clear: the growth of clean technologies has already achieved stop the increase in electricity emissions and demonstrates that replacing coal on a large scale is feasible. If the current pace continues, solar could become the next generation main source of generation worldwide before the end of the decade.
