Renewables on the Rise: Wind and Solar's Growing Role in Global Energy Mix

The debate over renewable and conventional energy often presents wind and solar as alternatives to oil, natural gas, nuclear power, and hydroelectricity. However, this framing oversimplifies how a reliable energy system works.

Wind and solar offer several benefits: they do not require a continuous fuel supply, reducing exposure to volatile fuel prices and lowering operating costs. They are also low-emission sources of electricity, with lifecycle studies showing substantially lower greenhouse gas emissions compared to unabated fossil-fuel generation.

Globally, wind and solar have made significant contributions, producing approximately 8% and 7%, respectively, of the world's electricity in 2024. Hydroelectricity supplied around 14%, while nuclear power generated about 9%. Fossil fuels still produced close to 60% of global electricity.

The International Energy Agency estimates that over 800 gigawatts of renewable capacity were added globally in 2025, with solar accounting for more than three-quarters and wind representing about 20%.