Renewable energy sources overtake coal in global energy mix

The SNP has called for more investment in Scottish renewables, as energy from solar panels and wind farms create more of the global energy output than coal for the first time in history.  

According to data from energy think tank Ember, the amount of power produced by renewable sources covered the increase in global demand, with some left over. The change is attributed to the “spectacular” growth of solar power energy generation and a moderate increase of the power produced by wind farms, which took the total power output of renewable energy sources to 18 per cent.  

“We are seeing the first signs of a crucial turning point,” said Ember senior analyst Malgorzata Wiatros-Motyka. “Solar and wind are now growing fast enough to meet the world’s growing appetite for electricity. This marks the beginning of a shift where clean power is keeping pace with demand growth.” 

Power from renewable energy sources covered 97 per cent of Scotland’s electricity consumption in 2020 and the Scottish Government has outlined plans to generate over 50 per cent of Scotland’s overall energy consumption from renewable sources by 2030. The government also detailed plans to fully decarbonise Scotland’s energy system by 2050.  

 “Scotland’s vast renewable energy resources are a pillar of our economy and communities,” said SNP MSP Jackie Dunbar. “The world is going in one direction, and it’s clear Scotland’s energy future lies at the heart of renewable energy generation.” 

According to data from Ember, the price of solar energy installations has fallen 99.9 per cent since 1975, allowing large-scale adoption of the technology in new markets around the world. In Pakistan, power generated from solar has risen from 4.4 per cent in 2021 to 21.9 per cent in 2025, driven by a large increase in the number of rooftop solar installations by households and businesses.  

Power generated from wind farms has grown slightly worldwide by just over seven per cent but has not seen the 31 per cent growth that solar experienced in the last year. 

Overall, the percentage of emissions from the world's four largest economies fell slightly, with China and India seeing the largest declines as clean electricity outpaced growth in demand in those countries. 

In contrast, emissions from the US and EU grew slightly due to shortfalls in energy production, where a strong growth in solar power was outweighed by shortfalls in wind due to poor weather conditions, hydro and bioenergy, which lead to higher gas and coal usage.  

In Scotland, onshore wind generated 78 per cent of all renewable electricity output in 2022, with other renewable technologies making up the remaining 22 per cent.