WIND POWER: Global wind power production increased by 11.5% in 2024.

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Renewable Energy Revolution

Thanks to a boom in solar and wind power, the world is getting more electricity from clean energy sources than ever before.

April 13, 2026
By Jess Romeo

AS YOU READ, THINK ABOUT why countries are investing in renewable energy.

In the first half of 2025, the world hit a historic milestone. For the first time, sources of renewable energy generated more electricity than coal did. Renewables harness energy from sources like wind and sunlight, which don’t run out. They’re a cleaner alternative to fossil fuels like coal, oil, and natural gas, which release heat-trapping greenhouse gases and pollution when we burn them to produce energy.

Today renewables are the fastest-growing form of energy in the world. Why? Cost! Solar panels and wind turbines are now cheaper to install and operate than gas- or coal-fired power plants. So more and more countries are building solar and wind farms.

In the first half of 2025, the world hit a historic milestone. Sources of renewable energy generated more electricity than coal did. That was a first. Renewables get energy from sources that don’t run out. These sources include wind and sunlight. They’re cleaner than fossil fuels like coal, oil, and natural gas. Fossil fuels are burned to produce energy. In the process, they release heat-trapping greenhouse gases and pollution.

Renewables are the world’s fastest-growing form of energy. Why? Cost! Solar panels and wind turbines are now cheaper to install and operate. The cost of gas- or coal-fired power plants is higher. So more and more countries are building solar and wind farms.

In 2024, a record-breaking 32% of the world’s electricity came from renewable energy.

SOURCE: EMBER (2025)

SOURCE: EMBER (2025)

But as the world races toward cleaner energy, the United States is taking a step back. The federal government recently phased out incentives for new solar and wind farms. It has also canceled major solar and wind projects. Renewables are still growing in the U.S.—just not as quickly as before. At least 20 states have independently pledged to transition to 100 percent climate-friendly electricity in the coming decades.

By 2035, renewables are expected to produce more of the world’s electricity than all fossil fuels combined. “Renewable energy is here to stay,” says André Boehman, an engineer at the University of Michigan. “It’s the future.”

The world is racing toward cleaner energy. But the United States is stepping back. Recently, the federal government ended incentives for new solar and wind farms. It also canceled major solar and wind projects. Renewables are still growing in the U.S. They’re just not growing as quickly as before. At least 20 states have made their own pledge. They’ll switch to 100 percent climate-friendly electricity in the coming decades.

By 2035, renewables are expected to reach another milestone. They could produce more of the world’s electricity than all fossil fuels combined. “Renewable energy is here to stay,” says André Boehman, an engineer at the University of Michigan. “It’s the future.”

THEN AND NOW

These circle graphs show the renewable sources used to generate a portion of the world’s electricity in 2004 vs. 2024. In addition to wind and solar, the most common renewables are hydropower (generated by water flowing through a dam), bioenergy (produced by burning plant and animal matter), and geothermal (generated from underground heat).

These circle graphs show the renewable sources used to generate a portion of the world’s electricity in 2004 vs. 2024. In addition to wind and solar, the most common renewables are hydropower (generated by water flowing through a dam), bioenergy (produced by burning plant and animal matter), and geothermal (generated from underground heat).

*TOO SMALL TO BE VISIBLE ON GRAPH

SOURCE: EMBER (2025)

DIG INTO THE DATA: Renewables generated roughly 3,132 terawatt-hours (TWh) of electricity in 2004. In 2024, the total had reached about 9,847 TWh. About how much electricity was produced using wind energy during each year?

DIG INTO THE DATA: Renewables generated roughly 3,132 terawatt-hours (TWh) of electricity in 2004. In 2024, the total had reached about 9,847 TWh. About how much electricity was produced using wind energy during each year?

THEN AND NOW

These circle graphs show the renewable sources used to generate a portion of the world’s electricity in 2004 vs. 2024. In addition to wind and solar, the most common renewables are hydropower (generated by water flowing through a dam), bioenergy (produced by burning plant and animal matter), and geothermal (generated from underground heat).

These circle graphs show the renewable sources used to generate a portion of the world’s electricity in 2004 vs. 2024. In addition to wind and solar, the most common renewables are hydropower (generated by water flowing through a dam), bioenergy (produced by burning plant and animal matter), and geothermal (generated from underground heat).

*TOO SMALL TO BE VISIBLE ON GRAPH

SOURCE: EMBER (2025)

DIG INTO THE DATA: Renewables generated roughly 3,132 terawatt-hours (TWh) of electricity in 2004. In 2024, the total had reached about 9,847 TWh. About how much electricity was produced using wind energy during each year?

DIG INTO THE DATA: Renewables generated roughly 3,132 terawatt-hours (TWh) of electricity in 2004. In 2024, the total had reached about 9,847 TWh. About how much electricity was produced using wind energy during each year?

Top Solar Countries

ARTISTGNDPHOTOGRAPHY/GETTY IMAGES

SUN POWER: Solar power is cheap to install and easy to produce.

Solar power is the biggest driver of the renewable energy boom. China is leading the charge—the country has spent the past decade rapidly increasing its solar energy capacity. This bar graph shows the countries that produced the most solar electricity in 2024.

Solar power is the biggest driver of the renewable energy boom. China is leading the charge—the country has spent the past decade rapidly increasing its solar energy capacity. This bar graph shows the countries that produced the most solar electricity in 2024.

SOURCE: EMBER (2025)

DIG INTO THE DATA: In 2024, the world produced 2,127 terawatt-hours of solar electricity. Around what percentage did China contribute?

DIG INTO THE DATA: In 2024, the world produced 2,127 terawatt-hours of solar electricity. Around what percentage did China contribute?

Top Solar Countries

ARTISTGNDPHOTOGRAPHY/GETTY IMAGES

SUN POWER: Solar power is cheap to install and easy to produce.

Solar power is the biggest driver of the renewable energy boom. China is leading the charge—the country has spent the past decade rapidly increasing its solar energy capacity. This bar graph shows the countries that produced the most solar electricity in 2024.

Solar power is the biggest driver of the renewable energy boom. China is leading the charge—the country has spent the past decade rapidly increasing its solar energy capacity. This bar graph shows the countries that produced the most solar electricity in 2024.

SOURCE: EMBER (2025)

DIG INTO THE DATA: In 2024, the world produced 2,127 terawatt-hours of solar electricity. Around what percentage did China contribute?

DIG INTO THE DATA: In 2024, the world produced 2,127 terawatt-hours of solar electricity. Around what percentage did China contribute?

RENEWABLES BEAT COAL

This double line graph shows the amount of electricity produced every six months by the world’s top energy sources: renewables and coal. From January to June 2025, electricity generated by renewables surpassed coal-powered electricity for the first time!

This double line graph shows the amount of electricity produced every six months by the world’s top energy sources: renewables and coal. From January to June 2025, electricity generated by renewables surpassed coal-powered electricity for the first time!

SOURCE: EMBER ELECTRICITY DATA EXPLORER

DIG INTO THE DATA: How much more electricity was generated by renewables in the first half of 2025 compared with the first half of 2019?

DIG INTO THE DATA: How much more electricity was generated by renewables in the first half of 2025 compared with the first half of 2019?

RENEWABLES BEAT COAL

This double line graph shows the amount of electricity produced every six months by the world’s top energy sources: renewables and coal. From January to June 2025, electricity generated by renewables surpassed coal-powered electricity for the first time!

This double line graph shows the amount of electricity produced every six months by the world’s top energy sources: renewables and coal. From January to June 2025, electricity generated by renewables surpassed coal-powered electricity for the first time!

SOURCE: EMBER ELECTRICITY DATA EXPLORER

DIG INTO THE DATA: How much more electricity was generated by renewables in the first half of 2025 compared with the first half of 2019?

DIG INTO THE DATA: How much more electricity was generated by renewables in the first half of 2025 compared with the first half of 2019?

MAJOR MILESTONES

People have long relied on renewable sources to generate energy. Here are some key moments in the history of renewable energy.

People have long relied on renewable sources to generate energy. Here are some key moments in the history of renewable energy.

1882
North America’s first hydroelectric power plant begins operation, powered by the Fox River in Appleton, Wisconsin.

1882
North America’s first hydroelectric power plant begins operation, powered by the Fox River in Appleton, Wisconsin.

COURTESY OF WESTERN RESERVE HISTORICAL SOCIETY

AMONG THE FIRST: An electrical wind turbine from 1888


1883
The world’s first electrical wind turbine is installed at the Vienna International Electrical Exhibition.


1883
The world’s first electrical wind turbine is installed at the Vienna International Electrical Exhibition.

1904
An Italian nobleman powers a light bulb using steam from natural hot springs in Larderello, Italy. This leads to the world’s first geothermal power plant.

1904
An Italian nobleman powers a light bulb using steam from natural hot springs in Larderello, Italy. This leads to the world’s first geothermal power plant.

GRAPHICAARTIS/GETTY IMAGES

SETTING UP: Installing a solar panel in 1955


1954
The first solar cell is invented at Bell Labs in New Jersey.


1954
The first solar cell is invented at Bell Labs in New Jersey.

1970s
Iceland becomes the first country to get nearly 100 percent of its electricity from renewable sources. Today at least nine other countries share this achievement.

1970s
Iceland becomes the first country to get nearly 100 percent of its electricity from renewable sources. Today at least nine other countries share this achievement.

DIG INTO THE DATA: How many years passed between the inventions of the electrical wind turbine and the first solar cell?

DIG INTO THE DATA: How many years passed between the inventions of the electrical wind turbine and the first solar cell?

SOURCES: NATIONAL MAGLAB, RETROFUTURE: ANOTHER STORY OF WIND MACHINES BY PHILLIPE BRUYER, EBSCO, HERE COMES THE SUN BY BILL MCKIBBEN, U.S. ENERGY INFORMATION ADMINISTRATION, EMBER (2025)

SOURCES: NATIONAL MAGLAB, RETROFUTURE: ANOTHER STORY OF WIND MACHINES BY PHILLIPE BRUYER, EBSCO, HERE COMES THE SUN BY BILL MCKIBBEN, U.S. ENERGY INFORMATION ADMINISTRATION, EMBER (2025)

MAJOR MILESTONES

People have long relied on renewable sources to generate energy. Here are some key moments in the history of renewable energy.

People have long relied on renewable sources to generate energy. Here are some key moments in the history of renewable energy.

1882
North America’s first hydroelectric power plant begins operation, powered by the Fox River in Appleton, Wisconsin.

1882
North America’s first hydroelectric power plant begins operation, powered by the Fox River in Appleton, Wisconsin.

COURTESY OF WESTERN RESERVE HISTORICAL SOCIETY

AMONG THE FIRST: An electrical wind turbine from 1888


1883
The world’s first electrical wind turbine is installed at the Vienna International Electrical Exhibition.


1883
The world’s first electrical wind turbine is installed at the Vienna International Electrical Exhibition.

1904
An Italian nobleman powers a light bulb using steam from natural hot springs in Larderello, Italy. This leads to the world’s first geothermal power plant.

1904
An Italian nobleman powers a light bulb using steam from natural hot springs in Larderello, Italy. This leads to the world’s first geothermal power plant.

GRAPHICAARTIS/GETTY IMAGES

SETTING UP: Installing a solar panel in 1955


1954
The first solar cell is invented at Bell Labs in New Jersey.


1954
The first solar cell is invented at Bell Labs in New Jersey.

1970s
Iceland becomes the first country to get nearly 100 percent of its electricity from renewable sources. Today at least nine other countries share this achievement.

1970s
Iceland becomes the first country to get nearly 100 percent of its electricity from renewable sources. Today at least nine other countries share this achievement.

DIG INTO THE DATA: How many years passed between the inventions of the electrical wind turbine and the first solar cell?

DIG INTO THE DATA: How many years passed between the inventions of the electrical wind turbine and the first solar cell?

SOURCES: NATIONAL MAGLAB, RETROFUTURE: ANOTHER STORY OF WIND MACHINES BY PHILLIPE BRUYER, EBSCO, HERE COMES THE SUN BY BILL MCKIBBEN, U.S. ENERGY INFORMATION ADMINISTRATION, EMBER (2025)

SOURCES: NATIONAL MAGLAB, RETROFUTURE: ANOTHER STORY OF WIND MACHINES BY PHILLIPE BRUYER, EBSCO, HERE COMES THE SUN BY BILL MCKIBBEN, U.S. ENERGY INFORMATION ADMINISTRATION, EMBER (2025)

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