A recent report by UK-based energy think tank Ember, confirmed that renewable energy sources generated more electricity than coal globally for the first time in the first half of 2025.
Terje Pilskog, CEO of Scatec.
The report Global Electricity Mid-Year Insights 2025 notes that solar and wind power outpaced demand growth in the first half of 2025, as renewables overtook coal’s share in the global electricity mix. Interestingly, while fossil fuels remained mostly flat, showing a slight decline within the global energy mix, fossil fuel generation fell in China and India, but grew in the EU and the US. Nonetheless, the advance of renewables marks a historic shift. The report further states that to lock in this progress, governments and industry need to accelerate investment in solar, wind, and battery storage, to ensure that clean, affordable, and reliable electricity reaches communities everywhere.
Commenting on this significant milestone, Terje Pilskog, CEO of Scatec, a leading renewable energy solutions provider, said: “The global power sector has crossed a critical line. This trend validates the long-term view Scatec has maintained: that renewable energy is not only an environmental choice, but the most competitive and vital source for new electricity generation globally. The acceleration of green energy deployment, particularly in high-growth emerging markets such as China and India, demonstrates a global recognition of the urgency to decarbonise.”
The shift reflects the rising economic viability and scalability of clean power technologies, which are essential to limit the global temperature rise in line with climate targets. As an integrated renewable energy solutions provider focused on emerging markets Scatec continues to execute its strategy to accelerate the energy transition, Pilskog says.
“Achieving global climate targets necessitates a substantial and rapid escalation of renewable solutions across all technologies,” he added.
“Scatec remains committed to delivering large-scale reliable, and affordable solar, wind, and battery storage projects, contributing to curbing high-emissions coal generation and ensuring energy security for the markets we serve.”
IMPOWER Solar & Storage also welcomed the landmark report from Ember and the confirmed shift in the global energy sector.
The shows that in the first half of 2025, renewables supplied 5 072 TWh, surpassing coal’s 4 896 TWh, driven primarily by rapid solar and wind growth in China and India. Analysts have noted this as a crucial turning point for the global energy transition.
Matthew Cruise, Business Development Executive at IMPOWER, said for South Africa and the wider African market, this advance underscores the urgency and the opportunity to accelerate the rollout of clean energy. He said the findings of the report validate IMPOWER’s strategy of building resilient, cost-effective systems that empower businesses and communities to thrive on and off grid.
Cruise described the report as a positive signal for investors and innovators. ”It offers a roadmap for South Africa. Every kilowatt-hour we generate from the sun reduces reliance on fossil fuels and strengthens energy security for businesses and households,” he said.
IMPOWER Solar is a specialist engineering, procurement, and project management contractor in the solar and energy storage industry. As it expands its solar-plus-storage offerings across commercial and industrial sectors, the company sees this global shift as confirmation that the future is here, now.
“The future of energy is decentralised, digital, and decarbonised,” said Cruise, urging policymakers to remove barriers that slow the adoption of distributed renewable energy and reiterating the call for policy clarity and grid flexibility – to unlock the full potential of renewables in the region.
For more information visit: www.scatec.com or https://impower.solar/
