Solar PV to Overtake Coal in 2025: A Turning Point for Renewable Energy

In the first half of 2025, for the first time in history, renewable electricity sources—particularly solar and wind—produced more energy than coal globally. This overtaking, marked by extraordinary growth in photovoltaics, represents a symbolic milestone in the energy transition, demonstrating that clean technologies are assuming a predominant role in the global electricity mix.

Numbers that confirm the overtaking

In the January-June 2025 period, renewables generated approximately 5,072 TWh, corresponding to 34.3% of the global mix, while coal remained at approximately 4,896 TWh (33%). This reversal is primarily due to the dramatic growth of photovoltaic power: solar production increased by 306 TWh compared to the same period in 2024, equal to approximately 31%. This increase alone absorbed a large portion of new global electricity demand in the first half of the year (+2.6%).

Factors that drove the acceleration and the unknowns of the future

This overtaking is no coincidence: photovoltaic has benefited from reduced costs, increased installed capacity, and its spread in regions with strong solar radiation. Furthermore, in some contexts, wind power has performed modestly, strengthening the contribution of solar.
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However, some uncertainties remain: in Europe, the decline in hydroelectric and wind generation in recent months has led to increased use of gas. This highlights that renewables overtaking coal is a crucial step, but not sufficient on its own to ensure a stable transition consistent with climate goals.

Implications for the energy sector and for the coming years

This result strengthens the legitimacy of investing in solar technologies and mobility toward cleaner mixes. It also indicates that coal is no longer the dominant source in the global electricity landscape: it marks a potential high point for fossil fuels.

For policymakers and investors, the challenge now will be to support the growth of renewables while maintaining grid reliability, storage capacity, system flexibility, and the ability to balance intermittent sources. The goal is to consolidate the trend, not leave it as an isolated incident.