All of last year’s growth in global electricity demand was met by renewable sources, with fossil fuel power generation remaining flat, according to research from the thinktank Ember. Solar power generation rose by nearly a third in 2025, marking a new record and faster growth, as output has grown tenfold over the past decade.
More than half of the increase in solar output came from China, which has surged ahead in renewable energy and is the world’s biggest exporter of clean energy components. Solar power met three-quarters of the rise in electricity demand, with the remainder mostly met by wind power. Globally, electricity generation from fossil fuels fell by 0.2%.
Aditya Lolla, managing director of Ember, said: “We have firmly entered the era of clean growth. Clean energy is now scaling fast enough to absorb rising global electricity demand, keeping fossil generation flat before its inevitable decline.” India also showed strong growth, adding record amounts of clean generation and outstripping its electricity demand growth, with fossil fuel power falling by 52 terawatt hours.
Renewable energy accounted for 34% of global electricity generation in 2025, outstripping coal’s 33% share. Battery storage played a key role, with about 14% of additional solar generation used at other times of day, thanks to large increases in battery uptake and falling prices. The research examined trends before the current oil crisis, but its findings apply to countries facing an energy crunch as fossil fuel prices rise.
Lolla added: “Clean energy is already helping countries reduce exposure to fossil fuel imports and costs while meeting rising electricity demand. The next step is to modernise grids and regulatory frameworks so power systems are ready to handle this new reality.” This month, more than 50 countries will meet in Colombia to discuss the global transition away from fossil fuels.
