For the first time, renewable energies have generated more energy than coalaccording to new analysis from Ember, a global think tank working to accelerate the clean energy transition.
Power change in progress
Solar and wind power outpaced global electricity demand growth in the first half of this year, resulting in a small decline for coal and gas compared to the same period in 2024.
This represents “a crucial turning point” according to Małgorzata Wiatros-Motyka, Senior Electrical Analyst at Ember.
“Solar and wind energy are growing fast enough to meet the world’s growing appetite for electricity. This marks the beginning of a shift in which clean energy keeps pace with demand growth.”he said in a press release.
People in Vanuatu, in the southwest Pacific, install solar panels on a roof.
Success with solar energy
In a separate report, the International Energy Agency (IEA) revealed how installed renewable energy continues to grow and is expected to double by 2030.
Global renewable energy capacity is projected to increase by 4,600 gigawatts (GW), “roughly equivalent to adding the total power generation capacity of China, the European Union and Japan combined,” the agency said.
The growth is being led by the rapid rise of solar photovoltaic technology, which converts sunlight into energy. It will account for about 80 percent of the increase, followed by wind, hydro, bioenergy and geothermal.
‘TO better future for everyone’
In response to the news, UN Secretary-General António Guterres tweeted that “the future of clean energy is no longer a distant promise: it is here.”
He urged the international community to “seize this historic opportunity and drive global change towards a better future for all.”
The reports reflect the findings of the Secretary-General’s Moment of Opportunity report, published in July.
They also reflect messages from world leaders who attended their Climate Summit held last month during high-level week as part of the run-up to the COP30 conference in Brazil in November.
However, the UN chief has consistently stressed that, while progress has been made, the energy transition is still not fast or fair enough.
Efforts therefore need to be stepped up if the world is to meet the goal of limiting global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, as outlined in the Paris Agreement on climate change.