Global Renewable Energy Generation Surpasses Fossil Fuels for the First Time, Driven by China and India Amidst Diverging Trends in the US and Europe

In a significant milestone for global energy production, renewable energy generation has surpassed fossil fuels for the first time. A report released by the renowned energy think tank Ember on October 7, 2025, highlights that during the first half of this year, renewable energy became the world’s largest electricity source, overtaking coal. Compared to the same period in 2024, global solar power production increased by nearly one-third, accounting for 83% of the rise in global electricity demand, while wind energy generation grew by just over 7%. Ember’s senior power analyst and report author, Małgorzata Wiatros-Motyka, describes this achievement as “a critical turning point.” The BBC refers to it as “a historic first.”

However, the BBC also points out that behind this “headline news” lies a complex reality of the global energy landscape. The report indicates that developing countries, particularly China and India, are leading the way in clean energy development, while wealthier nations, including the United States and the European Union, are increasingly reliant on fossil fuel power generation, which contributes to global warming.

The Guardian similarly notes that the Ember report shows that China and India have made substantial contributions to the surge in renewable energy usage, while the United States and European countries are leaning more towards fossil fuels. Additionally, the BBC emphasizes that other new data from Ember reveals that China maintains an unmatched dominance in the clean technology sector worldwide.

In August 2025, driven by a surge in sales of electric vehicles (up by 26%) and batteries (up by 23%), China’s clean technology exports reached a record $20 billion. Currently, the total value of Chinese electric vehicles and batteries is more than double that of its solar panel exports.

In the first half of 2025, fossil fuel power generation showed diverging trends: fossil fuel generation in China and India decreased year-on-year, while the United States and EU saw an increase. According to the report, coal remains the largest single energy source globally in 2024, a status it has held for over fifty years, as noted by the International Energy Agency (IEA). Another IEA report predicts that global renewable energy capacity could more than double by the end of this century, with 80% of the new clean energy capacity expected to come from solar power. IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol states, “In the coming years, the growth of global renewable energy capacity will be primarily driven by photovoltaic solar energy, although wind, hydropower, biomass, and geothermal energy will also contribute.”

The BBC reports that China continues to lead in clean energy growth, with new solar and wind capacity additions exceeding the total of all other regions combined. This has enabled China’s renewable energy generation to outpace the increasing electricity demand, helping to reduce fossil fuel power generation by 2%.

India, on the other hand, has experienced a slowdown in electricity demand growth while adding significant solar and wind capacity. The growth in renewable energy in India exceeds its electricity demand by more than three times, resulting in a reduction in coal and natural gas usage, which declined by 3.1% and 34%, respectively.

In contrast, developed countries like the United States and the EU are experiencing the opposite trend. In the U.S., the growth in electricity demand outpaces that of clean energy production, leading to greater reliance on fossil fuels, with coal power generation rising by 17% in the first half of this year. Meanwhile, in the EU, underperforming wind and hydropower have resulted in increases in coal and natural gas generation by 14% and 1.1%, respectively.

The Guardian cites IEA predictions that China will continue to hold the title of the largest renewable energy growth market globally, while India is expected to become the second-largest renewable energy growth market for the remainder of this century.

Birol adds that “in addition to growth in mature markets, solar energy will also see significant growth in economies such as Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and certain Southeast Asian countries.” Despite regional differences, Ember’s report describes the current moment as a “critical turning point.” Wiatros-Motyka states, “The current growth rates of solar and wind energy are sufficient to meet the world’s increasing electricity demand, marking the beginning of a transition where clean energy aligns with demand growth.”