As we reach the halfway mark of 2025, the global energy transition story continues to unfold—marked by both breakthroughs and setbacks.
On a positive note, utilities worldwide generated a record 6,405 terawatt hours (TWh) of clean electricity between January and June, a 6% increase compared to the same period last year. This marks the third consecutive year of steady growth, pushing clean power’s share of global electricity to 43.2%, the highest on record. Hydropower remains the single largest clean source, while solar leads the charge in growth, recording a striking 29% year-on-year jump in output.
Yet, the transition is far from uniform. Fossil fuel-based electricity held flat at 8,414 TWh, but regional variations tell a more complex story.
- Europe experienced setbacks, as reduced wind and hydro output forced utilities to increase reliance on coal and gas.
- The United States also leaned on coal, with output rising 17%, as higher gas prices drove fuel switching.
- China, in contrast, widened its lead in clean energy production, growing clean supply by 14% while reducing fossil output—a testament to its expanding renewable infrastructure.
These dynamics underscore a broader truth: while the global clean energy share is rising, fossil fuels still account for the majority of supply. Coal alone provided about a third of all electricity generated, although its share has fallen to record lows in recent years.
The picture is one of progress coupled with persistence of old dependencies. Clean energy is scaling at record speed, but uneven regional trajectories, policy gaps, and cost disparities continue to complicate the path forward.
At its heart, the mid-year check-up reminds us of a pressing reality—achieving net-zero requires not just growth in clean power, but consistent global alignment in phasing out fossil fuels.
The story of 2025 so far is encouraging, but the second half of the year will be a crucial test: can the momentum of clean energy growth overcome the drag of fossil fuel reliance, or will regional divergences slow down the world’s collective climate ambition?
