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  • 🌱 China Powers the Green Revolution: Renewables Overtake Coal Globally 🌬️☀️

🌱 China Powers the Green Revolution: Renewables Overtake Coal Globally 🌬️☀️

Global renewable energy generation has surpassed coal for the first time, led by China’s massive solar and wind expansion. Discover how this milestone marks a new era in clean power and reshapes the world’s energy future.

Author

Green Glow
October 18, 2025

For the first time in history, renewable energy sources — primarily solar and wind — have generated more electricity than coal on a global scale. This landmark shift marks a major turning point in the world’s energy landscape, signaling that the clean energy transition has moved from aspiration to reality.

According to a recent report by the climate think tank Ember, renewable generation reached 5,072 terawatt-hours (TWh) in the first half of 2025, surpassing coal’s 4,896 TWh output. Much of this surge was powered by China’s rapid and large-scale deployment of solar and wind projects.

Table of Contents

China at the Forefront of the Clean Energy Race

China — once the world’s largest consumer of coal — now leads the global expansion of renewable energy. The country accounted for nearly 60 percent of all new renewable capacity added worldwide over the past year, driven by massive investments in solar farms, offshore wind parks, and energy storage systems.

Malgorzata Wiatros-Motyka, a senior electricity analyst at Ember, notes that “China’s clean energy growth is reshaping the global power system faster than anyone expected.”

From the Gobi Desert’s endless solar arrays to coastal wind installations along the South China Sea, China’s renewable infrastructure represents a monumental industrial transformation — one that is reducing dependence on coal while creating new jobs, manufacturing capacity, and global supply chains.

The Data Behind the Transition

  • Global renewable output: 5,072 TWh (first half of 2025)

  • Global coal output: 4,896 TWh (same period)

  • China’s renewable growth: +43% in solar, +16% in wind

  • India’s contribution: +31% in solar, +29% in wind, with a 3% drop in coal generation

  • Global electricity demand growth: +2.6%, almost entirely met by renewables

These numbers demonstrate that renewables are not just catching up — they are overtaking fossil fuels as the world’s dominant energy source.

The Driving Forces: Policy, Technology, and Economics

The transformation is not accidental. Several factors are fueling this acceleration:

  1. Falling Costs: Solar and wind have become the cheapest sources of new power generation in most regions.

  2. Government Targets: China’s 2030 carbon-peak and 2060 carbon-neutrality goals continue to push massive investment in renewables.

  3. Technological Advances: Breakthroughs in battery storage, grid balancing, and AI-based forecasting are making intermittent renewables more reliable.

  4. Global Supply Chain Leadership: China dominates solar panel, turbine, and battery manufacturing, lowering global costs and boosting accessibility.

The Remaining Challenges

While the milestone is remarkable, it’s not the end of the story. Coal still plays a critical role in balancing China’s grid during peak demand and low-sunlight seasons.

Experts warn that for the renewable transition to be sustainable, grid flexibility and large-scale energy storage must grow at the same pace as generation. Additionally, some regions — including the U.S. and parts of Europe — still rely on fossil fuels to compensate for weaker hydro or wind output during specific periods.

A Global Turning Point

Despite these hurdles, the symbolic significance of renewables overtaking coal cannot be overstated. It represents the first true tipping point in humanity’s shift toward a cleaner, more sustainable energy system.

“Renewables overtaking coal shows that the energy transition is not just possible — it’s happening now,” says Wiatros-Motyka. “The next challenge is to accelerate this momentum while ensuring energy reliability and equity for all.”

The Road Ahead

Looking forward, the trend is expected to continue. Analysts project that by 2030, renewable sources could supply two-thirds of the world’s electricity, while coal’s share will shrink to less than 20 percent.

With China at the helm, the global energy market is being redefined — not only environmentally but also economically. The countries leading in renewable technology today are likely to dominate the energy economy of tomorrow.

Conclusion

The world has reached a clean-energy milestone decades in the making. With China spearheading the expansion of wind and solar, the balance of global power — both literally and figuratively — is shifting toward sustainability.

The age of coal is fading, and the dawn of a renewable future is here.

FAQs

Why is it significant that renewables have overtaken coal globally?

It marks the first time in human history that clean energy sources — mainly wind and solar — have generated more electricity than coal. This milestone shows that the energy transition is now driven by economic competitiveness and technological progress, not just environmental goals.

What role did China play in this energy shift?

China led the transition by contributing around 60% of all new renewable capacity installed worldwide in 2024–2025. Its massive investments in solar farms, wind projects, and energy storage made it the driving force behind the global clean energy boom.

Does this mean coal is no longer used?

No — coal remains part of the global energy mix, especially in grid balancing and backup generation. However, its share is declining as renewables continue to expand and energy storage technologies improve.

How does this affect global carbon emissions?

The growth of renewables reduces reliance on fossil fuels, which helps lower CO₂ emissions. Still, to meet climate targets, countries must continue investing in storage, grid modernization, and electrification of transport and industry.

What’s next for renewable energy development?

Analysts expect renewables to provide up to two-thirds of global electricity by 2030. Further advances in battery storage, green hydrogen, and smart grids will make clean power more reliable and accessible worldwide.

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