A capacity landmark backed by international data
Here is good news that feels both inspiring and practical: the world now has more installed renewable power capacity than coal. International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) data for 2023 shows global renewable electricity capacity climbed to nearly 3,900 gigawatts, led by strong additions in solar, wind, and hydropower. This is a positive, uplifting sign of how quickly clean energy is scaling. In fact, IRENA reports that renewables made up the overwhelming majority of new power installations last year. While the exact mix varies by country, the global direction is clear and optimistic—modern grids are being built around clean technologies that can deliver reliable electricity without the emissions of coal. This capacity shift is a genuine global milestone, achieved through years of innovation, policy support, and determined work by engineers, communities, and companies across continents.
Major institutions have documented the trend. IRENA’s Renewable Capacity Statistics and the International Energy Agency’s (IEA) Electricity reports point to accelerating growth in wind and solar, with hydropower, bioenergy, and geothermal playing important roles. Francesco La Camera of IRENA and Fatih Birol of the IEA have both highlighted how clean energy momentum is reshaping the power sector. Countries are showing what’s possible: the European Union has generated more electricity from renewables than from fossil fuels since 2020; the United States, according to the Energy Information Administration (EIA), produced more electricity from renewables than from coal in 2022 and again in 2023; Brazil’s grid is predominantly renewable; and China set records for new solar and wind capacity in 2023. These developments, taken together, mark a real-world, measurable shift away from coal and toward a cleaner electricity mix.
From momentum to measurable impact
The impact extends beyond capacity totals. Analysts at the IEA and energy think tank Ember report that renewables are meeting most of the world’s growth in electricity demand, putting coal on a gradual downward trajectory. Ember’s Global Electricity Review indicates that fossil generation is likely to decline as wind and solar expand rapidly. Universities and research institutions, including the U.S. National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) and Germany’s Fraunhofer ISE, continue to push efficiency and storage breakthroughs that make clean energy even more competitive. Policy is helping too: the European Green Deal, the United States’ clean energy incentives, India’s solar mission, and China’s large-scale grid buildouts are all accelerating the transition. The result is an optimistic picture where cleaner power, healthier air, and more resilient grids move from promise to everyday practice.
For households and businesses, the benefits are tangible: wind and solar now deliver some of the most affordable electricity in history, helping shield consumers from fuel price shocks while opening new jobs in manufacturing, construction, and maintenance. Cities from Texas to Tianjin and regions from Spain to South Australia are showing how grids can integrate higher shares of variable renewables with smart planning, storage, and flexible demand. It’s a quietly inspiring story of steady progress, built on facts and engineering. With leaders like Francesco La Camera and Fatih Birol emphasizing the opportunity—and with countries investing in modern grids and clean technologies—the milestone of renewables surpassing coal in installed capacity is not an endpoint, but a strong foundation for the next, even more positive chapter in global energy.
