Fossil Electricity Not Growing Globally, So What Is Growing And Where

Global fossil electricity generation did not grow in the first three quarters of 2025, a first since the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, with projections indicating the trend will hold for the entire year. This halt in growth occurred despite rising electricity demand, driven by significant increases in solar and wind power generation, which collectively exceeded new demand. While fossil fuels still constitute the largest share of global electricity production, their growth has stalled, and in some regions, declined. China is the primary driver of growth in clean electricity, dominating both solar and wind power additions. The country has also significantly increased its nuclear power generation. This dominance extends to manufacturing, with China producing the majority of the world's solar panels, wind turbines, electric vehicles, and batteries, which has geopolitical implications for countries like the U.S. In contrast, while the U.S. and EU have seen increases in fossil electricity due to rising demand from data centers, this growth is dwarfed by their renewable energy expansion, particularly solar. The EU experienced a drop in wind and hydro power due to weather, leading to a temporary increase in fossil fuel reliance. Interestingly, fossil power generation fell significantly in China and India, attributed to a peak in air conditioning demand in the preceding year due to heatwaves. The overall trend suggests that renewable sources, led by solar and wind, are increasingly meeting new electricity demand globally. While fossil electricity generation is projected to remain flat for the full year 2025, the continuation of this trend into 2026 will be a key indicator of whether clean power is definitive... download the app to read more