Solar power surpasses wind for first time, generating a third of global electricity
Solar energy overtook wind power in 2025, marking a milestone as renewables generated one-third of the world's electricity, according to a new report.
For the first time ever in 2025, solar energy generated more electricity than wind power globally. According to a new report by the International Energy Institute, renewable energy sources accounted for one-third of the world's electricity production. Solar power output surged to 2,811 terawatt-hours, surpassing wind power's 2,714 terawatt-hours.
Hydropower remained the leading renewable source, contributing 4,479 terawatt-hours, or 13.9 percent of the global total. Solar electricity generation saw a substantial 30.1 percent increase in 2025, compared to an 8.2 percent rise for wind power. Hydropower output grew by a mere 0.4 percent. This milestone underscores the rapid expansion of solar energy compared to other clean energy technologies.
China led global solar power production, generating nearly 42 percent of the world's solar electricity, with the U.S. in second place at around 393 terawatt-hours. Despite solar overtaking wind, renewables overall still only provided about 40 percent of the increase in global energy demand in 2025, with fossil fuel consumption remaining largely unchanged.
Written by urgent.news from Ajel English's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
