New analysis from Ember, an energy think tank, has shown that in the first half of 2025 the installations of solar and wind capacity have outpaced global electricity demand resulting in a decline in both coal and gas capacity, albeit a very small one.
2025’s record growth of solar power
The data from Ember show that due to record solar growth in the first half of 2025 and steady wind power growth, despite the challenges the sector faces in many regions of the world, for the first time on record, renewable sources have overtaken coal.
During this period, worldwide electricity demand rose by 2.6%, adding 269 terawatt hours (TWh) of new electricity capacity. On its own, solar met 83% of that growth.
Renewable energy growth meets rising electricity demand
As a result during this 6-month period, solar and wind installations grew fast enough to on its own meet the rising demand as well as start to replace already installed fossil fuel capacity.
Commenting on their analysis, Małgorzata Wiatros-Motyka, Senior Electricity Analyst at Ember, said, “We are seeing the first signs of a crucial turning point. Solar and wind are now growing fast enough to meet the world’s growing appetite for electricity. This marks the beginning of a shift where clean power is keeping pace with demand growth.”
Renewable sources overtake fossil fuels
Additionally, the Ember analysis could also unveil another world’s first – renewables generating more capacity than coal in the first half of 2025 accounting for 5,072 of TWh against coal’s share of 4,896 TWh. The output from renewables is up from 4,709 TWh and coal down by 31 TWh compared to during the same period in 2024.
The overall decline in fossil fuel generating capacity at 0.3% or -27 TWh may seem small, though Ember highlights it is still significant and points to the rapid growth of solar and wind – quick enough in some circumstances that they meet the overall electricity demand growth.
Ember predicts that solar and wind’s exponential rise will continue, allowing these energy sources to outstrip demand growth for longer periods and thereby cementing the decline of fossil fuel sources.
Anders Lorenzen is the founding Editor of A greener life, a greener world.
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