Global Renewable Energy Narrows Coal Gap to 50 TWh as US Clean Power Surpasses Fossil Fuel Share

Global renewable electricity generation neared parity with coal in 2025, closing the gap to 50 terawatt-hours. In the United States, clean power sources generated 24.5% of electricity, exceeding coal's 17.3% share.

Global renewable electricity generation nearly matched coal power in 2025, according to the International Energy Agency's annual Global Energy Review. This shift marks a significant step in the global energy transition. The report details a year of notable changes in power production worldwide.

The difference between global coal and renewable electricity output shrank to just 50 terawatt-hours (TWh) in 2025. This amount could supply approximately 4.6 million U.S. homes for a year. This represents a substantial reduction from the 960 TWh gap observed in 2024 and over 2,200 TWh in 2021. Renewable power production globally increased by 8.5% in 2025, driven significantly by solar power additions.

In the United States, renewable energy sources generated 24.5% of all electricity in 2025. This surpassed coal's 17.3% contribution for the year. Natural gas remained the primary U.S. electricity source, accounting for 39.8% of generation. This 2025 data marks a deviation from previous years, as coal generation saw a 10% increase year-over-year.

U.S. electricity demand grew by 2% in 2025, a rate more than triple the average annual growth of the preceding decade. Data centers were responsible for approximately half of this increased U.S. electricity demand during 2025.

The narrowing global gap between coal and renewables indicates a sustained shift in the global energy landscape. New solar installations, in particular, contributed 600 TWh more in 2025 than the previous year, with solar now holding the highest installed capacity among all single technologies. In regions like the European Union and China, renewables accounted for 48.2% and 36.7% of total electricity, respectively. This growth in zero-emissions power sources is actively displacing other fuel types, including coal, when combined with new nuclear power additions. The U.S. situation reflects a complex interplay of factors, including higher natural gas prices that made coal more competitive and increased overall demand.

Future reports will show how policy shifts, energy demand, and technology advancements continue to shape the global and national energy mixes.