Renewable sources generated more electricity than coal worldwide in the first half of 2025, according to an Ember report published on 7 October. Reuters reported the milestone, highlighting rapid clean-power growth in China and India.
What the figures measure
Ember’s analysis put renewable generation at 5,072 terawatt-hours, compared with 4,896 for coal. Renewables supplied 34.3% of global electricity during the period and coal 33.1%. Solar and wind growth together exceeded the increase in electricity demand.
These are generation figures for January–June 2025. They do not describe installed capacity, the whole year, or all energy used in transport, heating and industry. Keeping the reporting period and units visible helps explain the achievement without overstating it.
Progress with uneven geography
The same report showed that the transition was uneven: fossil generation rose in the United States and European Union while falling in China and India. Global progress therefore did not mean every region moved in the same direction.
WDWK’s perspective is that this is a useful form of positive climate news: a measurable change in electricity produced, with its boundaries stated. The next practical questions concern how clean supply meets demand across different places and seasons, and how reliable, affordable power reaches the people who need it.
Sources and reporting note
- Reuters · 7 October 2025: Renewable electricity overtakes coal
- Ember · Global Electricity Mid-Year Insights 2025
An original WDWK summary of the linked reporting and primary documents. Historical event dates are separate from this article’s publication date. Photography is credited above and provides archive or contextual illustration.
