Renewables Beat Coal in Global Energy for First Time

After more than 100 years of coal dominance, the world's electricity system just reached a turning point that seemed impossible a generation ago.

Renewable energy sources generated 33.8% of global electricity in 2025, edging past coal at 33.0% for the first time since 1919. That year, hydropower briefly held the lead before coal's century-long rise to dominance began.

The shift happened faster than most experts predicted. Solar and wind power drove nearly all the growth, with China, Europe, and the United States leading the expansion. Coal generation actually fell by 63 terawatt-hours in 2025, its first annual decline since the pandemic slowdown in 2020.

What changed? The economics of clean energy transformed dramatically over the past decade. Solar panels, wind turbines, and battery storage systems became cheaper to build and operate than new coal plants in most countries. Governments also ramped up investments in clean energy infrastructure as nations committed to reducing emissions.

The numbers tell a remarkable story of rapid transformation. Renewables have increased their share of global electricity by nearly 11 percentage points since 2015, climbing from 23% to nearly 34%. Meanwhile, coal's share dropped from its peak of over 40% in the 2000s to below one-third for the first time ever.

The Ripple Effect

This milestone represents more than just shifting percentages on a chart. Cleaner air is already benefiting communities near former coal plants. Jobs in solar and wind installation are growing rapidly across dozens of countries. Electricity costs are becoming more stable as renewable sources reduce dependence on volatile fossil fuel markets.

The transition isn't complete yet. Fossil fuels still generated more than half of global electricity in 2025 when natural gas and other sources are included alongside coal. Nuclear power continues to provide steady clean energy at about 9% of the global mix.

But the trajectory is clear and accelerating. Countries that struggled to imagine a future beyond coal now see renewable energy as both economically smart and environmentally necessary. The technologies that seemed experimental just 15 years ago are now the fastest-growing part of the global power system.

After a century of waiting, renewables are back on top and building momentum every year.