Renewable energy sources have overtaken fossil fuels in the UK's electricity generation for the first time, according to a report by climate thinktank Ember. In the first half of 2025, wind and solar farms produced more power than coal and gas plants combined, marking a significant milestone in the country's energy transition.
The report found that global renewable energy generation surpassed coal for the first time, driven by record solar expansion and steady wind growth. The UK contributed to this trend, with renewables meeting a growing share of electricity demand while coal and gas use declined.
Ember's senior electricity analyst Małgorzata Wiatros-Motyka described the milestone as 'a crucial turning point', stating that 'solar and wind are now growing fast enough to meet the world's growing appetite for electricity'. The report highlights that solar power alone met 83% of the global increase in electricity demand in the first half of 2025.
While China and India led the global surge in renewables, the UK's progress reflects a broader shift away from fossil fuels. The International Energy Agency (IEA) projects that global renewable capacity could more than double by the end of the decade, with solar power accounting for 80% of new clean energy capacity.
