Renewables overtake coal as world’s biggest source of electricity

Decarb Solar notes that renewable energy has reached a historic milestone, overtaking coal as the world’s leading source of electricity for the first time, according to new data from global energy think tank Ember. In the first half of this year, soaring growth in solar and wind energy met 100% of the increase in global electricity demand, even causing a slight decline in coal and gas use. Ember calls this moment a “crucial turning point”, marking the beginning of an era where clean energy is keeping pace with global demand growth.

Solar power was the key driver, delivering 83% of the world’s electricity growth and remaining the largest source of new power generation for the third consecutive year. Much of this progress has occurred in developing countries, which now account for 58% of global solar generation. This rapid expansion has been fuelled by a 99.9% fall in solar costs since 1975, making solar one of the most affordable and accessible energy technologies in history.

Countries like China and India have led the charge, with China adding more solar and wind capacity than the rest of the world combined, enough to reduce its fossil fuel generation by 2%. Across Africa, solar imports have surged by 60%, with Nigeria, Algeria, and Zambia seeing dramatic growth. Some regions, such as Pakistan, have doubled their solar imports in just one year.

In contrast, richer nations including the US and EU have seen slower progress, with weak wind and hydropower output and policy challenges leading to greater short-term dependence on fossil fuels. The International Energy Agency (IEA) has also halved its forecast for US renewable energy growth this decade, from 500GW to 250GW, largely due to political and policy shifts under President Donald Trump.

Globally, China continues to dominate the clean tech landscape - its exports of electric vehicles, batteries, and solar panels hit a record $20 billion in August 2025, highlighting its leading role in the green transition.

In Ireland, this global shift is reflected in a fast-growing solar sector. Decarb Solar, a leading Irish distributor of solar products, has seen significant growth as demand for clean, affordable energy solutions rises across the country. The company’s expansion mirrors Ireland’s broader move toward renewables and underscores how falling solar costs and rising energy awareness are accelerating the clean energy transition at both a national and global scale.

For more information on Decarb Solar’s products and services: decarbsolar.com