Clean energy surge led by China, India stops fossil fuel growth: Think tank

Fossil fuel decline in Asia shifts global balance

The report highlights that the transition away from fossil fuels is being driven largely by developments in China and India — the two largest contributors to global fossil power growth over the past two decades.

In both countries, record additions of clean energy outpaced demand growth, leading to declines in fossil generation. China saw fossil output fall by 56 TWh, while India recorded a 52 TWh decline, supported by strong growth in solar, wind, and hydropower, along with slower demand growth.

This marks the first time this century that fossil generation has declined simultaneously in both countries. As a result, renewables reached a 34% share of global electricity generation in 2025, surpassing coal’s 33% share for the first time in a century. Global coal generation fell by 63 TWh — its first decline since 2020 — and dropped below one-third of total electricity generation.

The study showed record expansion in solar power was the key driver of this shift. Global solar generation surged by 636 terawatt-hours (TWh) in 2025, marking a 30% increase from the previous year — the fastest growth rate in eight years. Since 2015, solar output has expanded more than tenfold, roughly doubling every three years. Total global solar generation now matches the entire electricity demand of the EU-27.

China led the global solar boom, accounting for more than half of the increase in both solar capacity and generation in 2025.

Together with other clean energy sources, the solar surge enabled renewables to meet all global electricity demand growth. Solar alone contributed 75% of the increase, while solar and wind combined met 99%. Overall, clean power generation rose by 887 TWh, slightly exceeding demand growth of 849 TWh. As a result, fossil fuel-based generation declined by 0.2%, making 2025 only the fifth year this century without growth in fossil electricity.

“We have firmly entered the era of clean growth,” said Aditya Lolla. “Clean energy is now scaling fast enough to meet rising global electricity demand, keeping fossil generation flat before its inevitable decline. This momentum is no longer just an ambition — it is becoming a structural reality.”

Ember’s seventh annual Global Electricity Review provides a comprehensive snapshot of the global power system in 2025, drawing on country-level data. The report is accompanied by the world’s first open dataset on electricity generation for 2025, covering historical data from 215 countries and the latest figures from 91 countries representing 93% of global electricity demand.

Battery storage accelerates solar expansion

As solar capacity continues to rise, battery storage is playing a crucial role in enabling round-the-clock clean power. In 2025, enough battery capacity was installed to shift 14% of newly added solar generation from midday peaks to other times of the day.

Early adopters such as Chile and Australia are already deploying large-scale battery systems to extend solar power availability beyond daylight hours, helping address grid flexibility challenges and supporting higher renewable penetration.

“Solar has been the dominant force reshaping the global power system,” Lolla said. “Combined with battery storage, it is paving the way for scalable, round-the-clock clean electricity.”

Clean power reshaping energy security

The report notes that the rapid expansion of affordable and abundant clean electricity — led by solar — is transforming the broader energy landscape through electrification. Increased clean power availability is enabling sectors such as transport to reduce reliance on imported fossil fuels.

“Clean energy is rapidly redefining the foundation of energy security in a volatile world,” Lolla added. “It is already helping countries cut exposure to fossil fuel imports and costs while meeting rising electricity demand. The next step is to modernise grids and regulatory frameworks to support this new reality.”