The latest analysis from the global think tank Ember indicates that for the first time, the generation of renewable energy has surpassed that of coal. In response, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called on nations to accelerate their transition away from fossil fuels that contribute to global warming.
Two reports released on Tuesday confirm that the global renewable energy revolution is advancing at an unprecedented pace. The International Energy Agency noted in another report that the installed capacity of renewable energy continues to expand and is expected to double by 2030.
According to Ember’s report, during the first half of this year, the growth in solar and wind energy generation outpaced the increase in global electricity demand, resulting in a slight decline in coal and natural gas generation compared to the same period in 2024. Viatoros-Motika, a senior power analyst at Ember, highlighted that this trend signifies a “critical turning point.” She stated, “The rapid growth of solar and wind energy is now sufficient to meet the increasing global demand for electricity, marking a new phase where clean energy grows in sync with demand.”
The International Energy Agency projects that by 2030, global renewable energy capacity will increase by 4,600 gigawatts, equivalent to the total electricity generation of China, the European Union, and Japan combined. Solar photovoltaic technology is leading this growth trend, rapidly expanding by converting sunlight into electricity, and is expected to contribute about 80% of the new capacity, followed by wind, hydropower, biomass, and geothermal energy.
Secretary-General Guterres expressed on social media, “The future of clean energy is no longer a distant promise — it has arrived.” He urged the international community to “seize this historic opportunity to accelerate the global shift towards a better future.” The two reports released on Tuesday corroborate the conclusions in his July report titled “The Opportunity Moment” and echo the calls made by world leaders at last month’s climate summit. This summit served as a precursor to the 30th United Nations Climate Change Conference, scheduled to be held in Brazil this November.
Guterres has consistently emphasized that despite progress, the pace and equity of the energy transition remain inadequate. He pointed out that to achieve the goals set by the Paris Agreement — to limit global temperature rise to within 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels — the international community must put forth greater efforts.
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