World hits major energy milestone as renewables meet all new electricity demand

London: For the first time, renewable energy grew fast enough to meet all new electricity demand globally in 2025, nudging fossil fuel power into reverse, according to new analysis published this week.

The report from energy thinktank Ember called it a milestone showing the world has “entered the era of clean growth.” China and India, historically the largest drivers of rising fossil power, both recorded historic falls in fossil generation last year — down 0.9% and 3.3% respectively. The two nations also added a record amount of renewables in 2025.

Ember said solar power “cemented its role as the dominant driver of change in the global power sector,” helping renewables overtake coal for the first time in the global electricity mix.

Despite the gains, fossil generation globally saw only a negligible 0.2% dip. The energy transition remains “uneven and incomplete,” Ember cautioned.

Still, analysts say the data marks a tipping point. “Clean energy is now scaling fast enough to absorb rising global electricity demand, keeping fossil generation flat before its inevitable decline,” said Aditya Lolla, Ember’s interim managing director. “The momentum we are seeing is no longer just an ambition, it is becoming a structural reality.”