For the first time, renewable energy is supplying most of our power.

Renewable energy has overtaken coal as the world’s largest source of electricity generation for the first time ever, marking a pivotal moment in the global transition away from fossil fuels. According to data from energy think tanks like Ember and the International Energy Agency, during the first half of 2025, renewables—including solar, wind, hydro, and other clean sources—accounted for 34.3% of total global electricity produced, narrowly surpassing coal’s share of 33.1%.

This milestone reflects years of rapid deployment, with solar and wind capacity additions surging dramatically, often growing faster than overall power demand. The change is driven primarily by plummeting costs for solar panels and wind turbines, massive investments in clean infrastructure, and supportive policies in major economies. China, the European Union, the United States, and India have led the charge, installing record amounts of renewable capacity annually.

While renewables have not yet achieved an outright majority (over 50%) of global electricity on a sustained basis—still trailing when combined with natural gas and other fossils—the surpassing of coal alone signals accelerating momentum. Nuclear power and hydropower provide stable baseload support, but variable renewables like solar and wind are now the dominant growth engines.

This breakthrough underscores that the clean energy era is no longer hypothetical; it is unfolding in real time. It promises reduced carbon emissions, greater energy security through diversified sources, and lower long-term costs for consumers. However, challenges remain, including grid modernization, storage solutions for intermittency, and ensuring equitable access worldwide as the shift continues to gather pace toward a predominantly renewable-powered future.