Energy · October 2025

Renewables overtake coal

For the first time, renewables make more of the world's electricity than coal.

Ember reported that in the first half of 2025 renewables generated 5,072 TWh (34.3%) against coal's 4,896 TWh (33.1%). Solar grew 31% and met 83% of the rise in global demand.

See it in the living tree Wikipedia Source

Arcs above join it to what it stood on, arcs below to what it led to. The bar places this stretch on the tree's whole timeline.

What it built on 2

Terawatt of wind 2023
Solar becomes cheapest power 2020

Related measurements

The dashed line marks when it first worked.

Share of electricity from low-carbon sources Latest: 42.6 % (2025) Source: Our World in Data

World electricity generation Latest: 31.8k TWh (2025) Source: Our World in Data

Installed wind capacity Latest: 1.29k GW (2025) Source: Our World in Data