ISA DG says renewable energy surpasses coal for the first time in 6 months

Khanna remarked during the 8th session of the ISA Assembly at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi on Tuesday.

Speaking on the growth of solar energy, he was quoted as saying by ANI: "It took 25 years for the world to reach 1000 gigawatt of solar capacity, yet in just two years, the next 1000 gigawatt has been reached." He added that projections indicate this capacity could double again within the next four years, "reaching 4600 gigawatt globally."

He pointed out that around 71 per cent of new solar installations are taking place in the Asia Pacific region.

He said Africa remained an untapped region for social energy resources.

Solar and wind outpaced the growth in global electricity demand in the first half of 2025, resulting in a very small decline in both coal and gas, compared to the same period last year, as per think tank Ember group.

New analysis from Ember shows that record solar growth and steady wind expansion are reshaping the global power mix, as renewables overtake coal for the first time on record.

“We are seeing the first signs of a crucial turning point,” said Małgorzata Wiatros-Motyka, Senior Electricity Analyst at Ember. “Solar and wind are now growing fast enough to meet the world’s growing appetite for electricity. This marks the beginning of a shift where clean power is keeping pace with demand growth.”