Wind and solar finally surpass coal: a historic turning point for this fossil fuel-dependent country

Renewable energies are becoming increasingly significant globally, even in the world's leading economy! The share of renewable energy in electricity production has continuously grown, accounting for 30% of the world's electricity in 2023. This trend is evident in all major countries, whether they are inclined towards developing green energies or remain attached to old fossil fuels. This is currently observable in the United States, which has recently reached a historic milestone in this regard.

Despite being a major economy resistant to ecological transition, the United States under Donald Trump has surprisingly shifted. The president, known for his advocacy of hydrocarbons and criticism of green energy, saw the country produce more electricity from wind and solar than from coal for the first time in history last year. Specifically, according to the think tank Ember, 15% of the electricity generated in the U.S. came from coal, while wind and solar combined represented 17% of total electricity produced.

The renewable energy sector is led by solar energy, which accounted for 81% of new energy production capacities created in the U.S. last year, as reported by the Energy Information Administration. This growth is crucial for the country, especially as electricity demand has increased by 3% last year after stagnating for approximately 15 years, driven by the rise in electric vehicles and data centers.