In a significant shift, clean energy generation outpaced the global rise in electricity demand in 2025, leading to a historic first-time drop in fossil fuel power. This milestone was primarily driven by substantial growth in solar energy, particularly in China and India.
Clean power generation increased by 887 terawatt hours last year, surpassing the total global electricity demand growth of 849 terawatt hours, according to an analysis by energy think tank Ember. Renewables, including solar, wind, and hydropower, accounted for over one-third of the world's electricity mix for the first time, growing to 10,730 terawatt hours.
For the first time this century, coal power's share fell below one-third of global generation. Nicolas Fulghum, Ember's lead analyst, stated, "We're now moving into a world where new electricity demand growth doesn't automatically mean growth in fossil generation."
Solar power, which grew 30% in 2025, alone met three-quarters of the year's electricity demand increase. Combined with wind power, they met 99% of it. Fossil fuel generation saw a slight decrease of about 0.2% in 2025.
China and India, major historical contributors to fossil fuel generation, both experienced declines in their fossil fuel power usage last year. China led global solar growth and accounted for most of the world's wind power increase, while India saw record solar and wind generation.
Alexis Abramson, dean of the Columbia University Climate School, noted, "We've really crossed this important threshold that clean energy now can meet rising demand economically and at the same time really help address national security concerns."