Report: Renewable Energy Outpaces Fossil Fuels for First Time

For the first time in the modern era, renewable forms of energy like solar and wind power produced more electricity than fossil fuels. The global surge in solar and wind output was so large that it outpaced our planet’s growing demand for energy. That's based on a report published Tuesday by the energy thinktank Ember.  

The study found that solar energy output grew a record 30.7% in the first half of 2025. Wind power generation grew 7.7%. By contrast, energy output from fossil fuel sources dropped slightly. It was a small sign that the world is moving away from burning coal and natural gas for power. Emissions from both sources contribute to climate change .    

“The fall overall of fossil may be small, but it is significant,” lead study author Małgorzata Wiatros-Motyka told The Associated Press. She studies power at Ember. “This is a turning point when we see emissions plateauing.”  

Renewable power outgrowing the world’s power demands is a big deal, experts say. Hot new tech such as AI and crypto require lots of energy to sustain. The race to lead in those fields has nations scrambling to build server farms and power stations. So far, China is setting the pace.    

In the first half of 2025, China added more wind and solar output than the rest of the world combined. It also cut back on burning fossil fuels. The same was true in India. It exceeded its own power demands just through wind and solar. Meanwhile, the US saw its solar and wind projects slow. The White House has emphasized fossil fuel projects. Energy demand in the US outpaced clean energy growth. And the US increased its coal output by 17%.         

Reflect: What changes would you like to see in how the world creates and uses energy?