Solar energy is growing at a record pace worldwide

In 2025, renewable energy accounted for 33.8% of total global electricity generation. This is according to data from the Ember analysis center.

The share of fossil fuels last year was 54.7% (coal accounted for 33%, gas for 21.8%, and other fuels for 2.6%).

Solar, wind, hydropower, and other renewable sources together accounted for more than a third of global electricity generation for the first time in the history of the modern power system. Conversely, the share of coal-fired power fell below one-third for the first time.

Solar power generation grew by a record 636 TWh last year, reaching 2,778 TWh, a 30% increase year-over-year.

According to the report, China and India, which have historically contributed the most to global growth in fossil fuel energy production, saw a decline in 2025. In both countries, a record increase in clean energy generation outpaced the growth in demand.

According to Ember, solar energy grew 18 times faster last year than natural gas—the only fossil fuel whose use for electricity generation increased during that period. China once again led the expansion in this sector, accounting for more than half of the global increase in solar capacity in 2025. This increased the share of solar and wind energy in the country’s energy mix to 22%, exceeding the OECD average (20%).

India also accelerated its clean energy deployment last year, notably installing more new solar capacity than the United States for the first time.

Global electricity demand in 2025 grew by a moderate 2.8%, in line with the decade’s average of 2.7%.

It is worth noting that in 2025, wind and solar power plants in the EU generated more electricity than fossil fuels for the first time. Last year, they accounted for a record 30% of the EU’s electricity production, while fossil fuels accounted for 29%. Solar energy alone accounted for 13%.