Clean Energy Surpasses Global Power Demand Growth In 2025: Ember

Clean power generation exceeded global electricity demand growth in 2025, led by record solar additions in China and India, according to a report by energy think tank Ember. Clean energy output rose by 887 terawatt hours last year. This outpaced the 849 terawatt hours increase in global electricity demand, the report said.

The study drew on electricity data from 215 countries. It analysed 2025 data for 91 countries, covering 93% of global demand.

Renewables Cross One-Third Share Milestone

Renewables, including solar, wind and hydropower, crossed a key threshold in 2025. Their share in the global electricity mix exceeded one-third for the first time. Generation from these sources rose 33.8% year-on-year to 10,730 terawatt hours.

Coal lost ground. Its share slipped below one-third of global generation. Output declined by 0.6%, or 63 terawatt hours.

Solar Leads Supply Response

Solar power drove most of the increase. Generation grew 30% in 2025 and met nearly three-quarters of the rise in electricity demand. Combined with wind, clean sources met 99% of the net demand increase.

Solar also overtook wind generation globally for the first time. Ember expects both solar and wind to surpass nuclear output as early as this year. Fossil fuel-based generation showed little movement. It declined by 0.2%, or 38 terawatt hours. This makes 2025 one of the few years this century without growth in fossil power output.

Battery Storage Expands Rapidly

Battery storage scaled up alongside solar capacity. Costs dropped 45% in 2025. Installed storage capacity rose 46% over the same period.

Ember estimates that new battery additions allowed 14% of solar generation to be shifted from midday to other parts of the day. This supports wider use of solar beyond peak sunlight hours.

China And India Drive Structural Shift

China and India both reported declines in fossil fuel generation for the first time this century.

• China’s fossil generation fell 0.9%, or 56 terawatt hours

• India’s fossil output dropped 3.3%, also by 56 terawatt hours

Both countries expanded renewable capacity instead. China accounted for more than half of global solar growth last year. It also led to wind additions, contributing 138 terawatt hours.

India recorded its highest-ever increase in solar and wind generation. Hydropower output was also strong. Electricity demand growth in India, however, came in below average.

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Mixed Trends In Developed Markets

The United States (US) and Europe continued to add solar capacity, with:

• The US adding 85 terawatt hours of solar generation

• Europe adding 60 terawatt hours

Fossil fuel generation in these regions rose slightly, contrasting with declines in Asia. The report comes at a time when energy markets are under pressure due to the conflict in West Asia.

Sources:

The Hindu Business Line

The Economic Times