The research organization Ember released this information on 7/10, based on an analysis of data from 88 countries that represent most of the global electricity supply and demand.

Wind and solar power generation reached 5,072 TWh in the first half of this year, surpassing coal power's output of 4,896 TWh, despite double-digit growth in coal electricity from the United States.

Specifically, solar power saw a record increase of 31%, while wind power grew by 7,7%, together exceeding total global electricity demand.

Workers inspect solar panels at a solar power farm in Linyi, Shandong province, China, 11/8/2018. *Photo: Reuters*

Coal power generation emits about twice as much carbon dioxide (CO2) as gas-fired electricity. Limiting coal power is a key factor in achieving global climate goals.

Małgorzata Wiatros-Motyka, a senior electricity analyst at Ember, stated that the world is witnessing the first sign of a significant turning point. She noted, "Solar and wind energy are now growing fast enough to meet the world's increasing electricity demand."

The shift to renewable energy is primarily driven by China and India. China, the world's largest electricity consumer, reduced its fossil fuel electricity output by 2%. Concurrently, it increased solar and wind power by 43% and 16% respectively.

In India, wind and solar power generation increased by 29% and 31% respectively, helping the country reduce coal and gas electricity by 3,1%.

Conversely, fossil fuel electricity increased in the United States and the European Union during the same period.

In Europe, gas-fired electricity rose by 14% and coal by 1,1%. Energy demand in these countries increased significantly as wind and hydropower generation declined, forcing a greater reliance on coal and gas.

In the United States, coal power output increased by 17%, while gas-fired electricity decreased by 3,9%. The country's clean energy market faced challenges as the administration of President Donald Trump shifted federal policy from renewables to promoting coal, oil, and gas production.

The incumbent administration cut funding from the former President Joe Biden era that supported clean energy projects, rolled back climate-related regulations, and halted wind power development. Additionally, they removed barriers to coal mining and eased regulations for coal-fired power plants and other polluting industries.

In a speech at the United Nations General Assembly last month, Trump criticized renewable energy and called climate change a "hoax". Experts warn that the U.S. President's efforts to curb clean energy will have lasting impacts.

The report also indicated that global electricity demand in the first half of this year increased by an additional 369 TWh, equivalent to 2,6% compared to the same period last year. The shift to electric vehicles, data center growth, and higher cooling demand in tropical countries contributed to this rise in electricity demand.

Bao Bao (according to TRT World, Reuters)