Global low-carbon electricity grew by 68% between 2015 and 2025, driven by rapid expansion of solar, wind and other clean technologies.
In 2025, global clean electricity not only kept pace with rising demand but effectively prevented fossil generation from growing. Solar alone supplied three-quarters of the increase, while solar and wind together met almost all of it (99%), pushing total clean generation slightly above overall demand growth. This surge meant that fossil generation did not increase, making 2025 only the fourth year this century without a rise in electricity from fossil fuels.
Falling costs for solar panels and battery storage are making clean electricity increasingly competitive. Renewables can now be deployed faster than fossil fuels and operate flexibly, allowing rising electricity needs to be met without increasing emissions. This combination of rapid deployment and cost efficiency underpins the continued expansion of clean generation worldwide.