Renewables overtake coal as biggest source of electricity
18 hours ago
- #renewable-energy
- #global-trends
- #climate-change
- Renewable energy surpassed coal as the world's leading electricity source in the first half of this year.
- Solar and wind growth met 100% of the increased global electricity demand, reducing coal and gas use.
- Developing countries, especially China, led clean energy growth, while the US and EU relied more on fossil fuels.
- China added more solar and wind capacity than the rest of the world combined, reducing fossil fuel generation by 2%.
- India slowed electricity demand growth and expanded solar/wind capacity, cutting coal and gas reliance.
- The US and EU saw increased fossil fuel dependence due to faster electricity demand growth and weak renewables performance.
- The IEA halved its US renewable growth forecast for this decade, citing Trump administration policies.
- Solar power met 83% of global electricity demand growth, with 58% of generation in lower-income countries.
- Solar panel costs have dropped 99.9% since 1975, enabling rapid adoption in countries like Pakistan and Africa.
- China dominates clean tech exports, with EVs and batteries now worth more than double its solar panel exports.