The future of renewable energy is looking bright, with solar power expected to be the primary driver of growth in the coming years. Other sources of renewable energy, including wind, hydro, biomass, and geothermal, will also play important roles. China is anticipated to remain the fastest-growing market for renewable energy, while India is expected to emerge as the second-largest market by the end of the decade.
Emerging economies such as Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and several Southeast Asian nations are also preparing for rapid solar expansion. This growth is already being seen in China, where the country added more renewable capacity than the rest of the world combined in the first half of 2025. As a result, China’s fossil fuel use decreased by 2% compared to the same period in 2024. India has also made significant strides in renewable energy, increasing production to three times domestic demand. This has led to declines in coal and gas consumption by 3.1% and 34%, respectively.
In contrast, the United States has seen a different trend. Electricity demand grew faster than renewable capacity, resulting in a 17% rise in coal power generation during the first half of the year. This increase in coal power generation is a step backwards for the country’s efforts to transition to cleaner energy sources. The European Union has also experienced a setback, with limited increases in electricity demand and lower wind and hydro output leading to increased electricity generation from gas and coal.
Despite these setbacks, the overall trend is towards a greater adoption of renewable energy sources. As technology continues to improve and costs decrease, it is likely that more countries will follow the lead of China and India in transitioning to cleaner energy sources. The growth of solar power, in particular, is expected to drive the expansion of renewable energy in the coming years. With emerging economies also preparing for rapid solar expansion, it is likely that the world will see a significant shift towards cleaner energy sources in the near future.