Solar and wind are now outpacing global electricity demand growth

• New analysis shows solar and wind exceeded 2025 demand growth through Q3, underscoring their central role in decarbonizing power systems worldwide.

Across the first three quarters of 2025, solar and wind not only met but exceeded the increase in global electricity demand, according to new analysis highlighted by Canary Media. That means clean generation, on net, did the heavy lifting of covering incremental consumption—even as data centers and electrification pushed load higher. It’s a snapshot of the energy transition’s momentum, but also a reminder that acceleration must continue for fossil-fueled generation to fall in absolute terms.

Behind the global numbers are maturing markets: China’s utility PV keeps scaling; the US is blending solar with multi-hour batteries; Europe is pushing hybrid nodes and grid upgrades. In parallel, corporate buyers are shifting from simple megawatt-hour targets to hourly matching, which rewards storage and firmed portfolios. The practical takeaway is system planning: more variable supply demands better transmission, flexible demand, and market products that pay for time-shifting and fast response.

For developers, the signal is mixed but constructive. Merchant risk is real where capture prices sag at noon, yet batteries and hybrids are monetizing volatility and evening peaks. For policymakers, the to-do list is familiar: speed permitting, standardize interconnection, and fund grids. The data shows what’s possible; the challenge is turning “covering demand growth” into “cutting fossil generation” year after year.