In the first half of 2025, renewable energy became the world’s leading source of electricity, overtaking coal for the first time.
Solar and wind power met 100% of global electricity demand growth, even causing a slight drop in coal and gas usage.
China led the clean energy expansion, adding more solar and wind capacity than the rest of the world combined, reducing its fossil fuel generation by 2%.
India also added significant solar and wind capacity, offsetting slower demand growth and cutting back on coal and gas use.
In contrast, the US and EU increased fossil fuel reliance due to weaker clean energy growth and poor wind and hydro output.
The International Energy Agency (IEA) halved its US renewable capacity forecast for 2030 from 500 GW to 250 GW due to policy changes.
Solar prices have dropped 99.9% since 1975, driving rapid adoption in developing countries, especially in Africa and South Asia.
Pakistan doubled solar imports in 2024.
Nigeria overtook Egypt in solar capacity, and countries like Zambia and Algeria saw exponential growth.
Rapid solar expansion is causing new challenges; in Afghanistan, widespread solar-powered water pumps are depleting groundwater levels.
China remains the dominant global player in clean tech exports, hitting a record $20 billion in August 2025, led by electric vehicles and batteries.