Can renewable energy begin to eclipse fossil fuel-based sources

In a fragment of it released to the media, it is explained that, since the Industrial Revolution, humanity has depended on fossil fuels such as coal, oil and gas to obtain energy.

Carbon emissions from these finite resources have largely contributed to accelerating climate warming. However, 2025 marked a significant shift in this paradigm, as renewable energy generated from the sun and wind began to surpass conventional fossil fuel-based energy production in several areas.

As noted in Science magazine, this year, global renewables, led by solar and wind, grew fast enough to cover all new global electricity demand in the first half, and now supply more electricity than coal globally.

This transition is being led by China, whose efforts to scale up solar panels, wind turbines and lithium battery storage have established the country as a global leader in renewable energy production and technology.

Elsewhere, small-scale rooftop solar systems, affordable and widely accessible thanks to China’s manufacturing dominance, are spreading rapidly, especially in Europe, South Asia and the Global South, providing reliable, low-cost energy security to millions of people.

Existing renewables have already demonstrably slowed the growth of greenhouse gas emissions in China, signaling a global turning point in the fight against climate warming.

Furthermore, new technological innovations in this area, such as more efficient solar cells and chemical batteries, promise to expand the reach and effectiveness of renewable energy. However, numerous obstacles remain, including the widespread use of coal, infrastructure bottlenecks, and political resistance in some regions (including the United States).

However, despite these challenges, this year’s progress suggests that the transition from fossil fuels to clean, renewable energy is not only possible, but is accelerating and quickly becoming the most practical and cost-effective option.