A historic turning point in global energy: Renewables overtake coal in electricity generation, fueled by China’s unstoppable solar and wind export boom and AI’s game-changing role in green hydrogen
Imagine a world where the sun and wind power more homes, factories, and cities than the black coal that once dominated our grids. In 2025, that world arrived—not with fanfare or fireworks, but with quiet, unstoppable momentum. For the first time in history, renewable energy sources generated more electricity globally than coal in the first half of the year, according to landmark data from energy think tank Ember. Renewables hit 34.3% of the global mix, edging out coal’s 33.1%. This isn’t a fleeting blip; it’s the dawn of a new era, one where clean power is no longer the underdog but the undisputed champion.
This milestone, hailed as a “crucial turning point” by analysts, came earlier than even optimistic forecasts predicted. The International Energy Agency (IEA) had projected renewables surpassing coal by late 2025 or 2026, but explosive growth in solar and wind made it happen sooner. As we close out 2025, this breakthrough stands as the year’s biggest green tech victory—a testament to human ingenuity, massive investments, and the sheer force of China’s renewable revolution.
The Historic Flip: Renewables Eclipse Coal
Picture this: Global electricity demand surged by 2.6% in the first half of 2025, driven by heatwaves, booming industries, and the rise of AI data centers. Normally, that would mean more coal burned and emissions soaring. But not this time.
Solar generation exploded by 31% (+306 TWh), single-handedly covering 83% of the new demand. Wind added another strong push (+7.7%). Together, renewables grew by 363 TWh to reach 5,072 TWh—overtaking coal’s 4,896 TWh. Fossil fuels even dipped slightly overall, preventing a spike in power-sector CO2 emissions.
Low-carbon sources (renewables + nuclear) crossed 40% of global electricity for sustained periods, a level not seen since the 1940s. Solar alone jumped from 6.9% to 8.8% share, with 29 countries now getting over 10% of their power from the sun—up from just 11 in 2021.
This shift isn’t just numbers; it’s a seismic change. Coal, the backbone of the Industrial Revolution, is fading. Renewables are now growing fast enough to meet—and exceed—rising demand, paving the way for falling fossil fuel use in the coming years.
China’s Unrivaled Dominance: The Engine of the Green Revolution
At the heart of this triumph beats China—the undisputed superpower of clean energy.
China didn’t just participate in the renewable boom; it orchestrated it. The country accounted for 55% of global solar growth and massive shares in wind. In the first half of 2025, China added staggering capacity: hundreds of gigawatts in solar and wind, pushing its total renewable installations past 1,600 GW—surpassing fossil fuels domestically for the first time.
China’s solar exports defied curbs and oversupply fears, reaching 226 GW in the first ten months—a remarkable 11% year-on-year increase. Wind turbines and batteries flooded global markets, making clean tech cheaper everywhere from Brazil to Nigeria.
Why China? Decades of strategic investment, supply chain mastery, and sheer scale. Chinese manufacturers produce 80% of the world’s solar panels at unbeatable prices. In 2025, China’s clean energy sector contributed over a quarter of its economic growth, proving that going green fuels prosperity, not hinders it.
As one expert put it: “Developing the economy and reducing carbon emissions are no longer contradictory.” China’s “electrostate” model—electrifying everything with renewables—is the blueprint the world is following.
AI: The Secret Weapon Optimizing Green Hydrogen
But the story doesn’t stop at solar and wind. Enter the next frontier: green hydrogen, the versatile fuel that could decarbonize heavy industry, shipping, and aviation.
Green hydrogen—produced by splitting water using renewable electricity—has long faced hurdles: high costs, inefficiency, and intermittency from variable renewables. In 2025, artificial intelligence emerged as the breakthrough optimizer.
AI is revolutionizing electrolysis, the core process. Machine learning models predict energy flows, forecast renewable output with pinpoint accuracy, and dynamically adjust electrolyzer operations—ramping up when solar/wind surges and standing by during lulls. This slashes costs by 20-30% in some pilots.
Innovations like Honeywell’s AI suite and neural networks for material discovery are finding cheaper catalysts (ditching rare platinum) and enhancing efficiency. AI even tackles predictive maintenance, leak detection, and grid integration.
Reviews in 2025 highlighted AI’s role: optimizing parameters for maximum yield, minimizing energy waste, and scaling production. As green hydrogen costs plummet toward $1-2/kg, AI is making it viable at scale—unlocking a trillion-dollar market.
Why This Matters: A Cleaner, More Secure Future
2025’s renewable surge isn’t just environmental wins; it’s economic and geopolitical gold.
- Energy Security — Less reliance on volatile fossil imports.
- Job Creation — Millions in manufacturing, installation, and tech.
- Affordability — Solar and wind are now the cheapest new power sources.
- Climate Hope — Power-sector emissions plateaued despite demand growth.
Challenges remain: grid upgrades, storage scale-up, and policy consistency. But with China exporting the tools and AI supercharging efficiency, the momentum is irresistible.
As Ember’s analysts note: “This turning point marks an exciting road ahead.” Renewables have officially dethroned coal. The green tech era isn’t coming—it’s here.
What does this milestone mean for your energy future? Will green hydrogen power your next flight? Share your thoughts below!
Published on www.vfuturemedia.com | December 29, 2025
Keywords: renewables surpass coal 2025, global renewable energy milestone, China solar wind exports 2025, green hydrogen AI optimization, Ember global electricity review 2025, clean energy transition, solar power growth 2025, wind energy dominance China
Leave a Comment