In a landmark shift for global power, renewable electricity generation outpaced coal output for the first time in the first half of 2025, driven by an unprecedented surge in clean energy deployment in the Chinese mainland, according to analysis from global think tank Ember.
Solar and Wind Take the Lead
Ember's data shows that in the first six months of the year, renewables generated more electricity worldwide than coal, marking a historic turning point for the energy sector. Rapid cost declines and supportive policies have supercharged solar and wind installations, reshaping the global electricity mix.
Chinese Mainland's Clean Energy Boom
The Chinese mainland emerged as the primary driver of this transition, adding more solar capacity and wind farms than the rest of the world combined. In H1 2025, China accounted for 55 percent of global solar generation growth and an impressive 82 percent of the wind generation increase. This enabled the country to meet all new electricity demand growth with clean sources, pushing total fossil fuel generation down by 2 percent.
Ripple Effects on Global Emissions
That shift had immediate global repercussions. The Chinese mainland recorded the largest absolute drop in power sector carbon dioxide emissions, decreasing by 46 tonnes, effectively offsetting emissions increases in major economies such as the U.S. and the European Union. This stabilization underscores the critical role of scaling renewables to curb climate change.
Looking Ahead
By early 2025, the combined capacity of wind and solar in the Chinese mainland officially surpassed its total coal capacity, solidifying a long-term commitment to clean energy. This momentum is creating market and technological conditions ripe for a broader global reduction in fossil fuel use. For young innovators, entrepreneurs, and travelers alike, this milestone offers a powerful example of how large-scale investments in renewables can reshape our planet’s energy landscape.
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Reference(s):
China drives historic global energy pivot as renewables overtake coal
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