Renewable Energy Leads Global Energy Supply Growth

A new review of world energy data shows that in 2025 renewable sources added more energy to the global supply than oil, gas or coal for the first time. Renewables contributed 3.3 exajoules, a 10% rise, driven largely by solar power, which accounted for 71% of all new capacity. Solar generation grew 30% in a single year, supported by a 66% increase in battery storage, allowing round‑the‑clock electricity use. Overall energy supply grew 1.7% over 2024, while electricity demand rose 3%; every increment in electricity demand was met entirely by low‑carbon sources.

A parallel United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 7 report highlights that renewables now provide over 30% of global electricity consumption and that installed renewable capacity reached a record 544 watts per person. Yet the report warns that 655 million people still lack electricity and about 2 billion rely on polluting fuels for cooking, with sub‑Saharan Africa bearing the greatest shortfall. The analysis stresses the need to accelerate electrification and clean‑cooking initiatives to meet universal access targets by 2030.