Wind and solar power together produced more electricity globally than natural gas for the first time in April 2024, according to new data from energy think tank Ember. The milestone marks a symbolic shift in the global power mix, with renewables outpacing the fossil fuel that has dominated power generation for years.
Ember's data shows that wind and solar generated 12.2% of global electricity in April, edging out natural gas at 11.8%. Coal remained the leading source at 36%. The achievement represents a sharp acceleration from just five years ago, when gas generated nearly double the electricity of wind and solar combined.
The crossover was driven by surging solar capacity additions, particularly in China and Europe, along with strong wind output. Ember expects the gap between renewables and gas to widen in coming months as more solar capacity comes online during the Northern Hemisphere summer.
The milestone comes as global electricity demand continues to rise. Renewables now account for roughly 30% of global generation, with hydro and other clean sources contributing alongside wind and solar. Natural gas generation still grew slightly year-over-year in absolute terms, but its share declined as renewables expanded faster.
Industry analysts caution that one month does not constitute a trend, and seasonal factors like low gas demand in spring may have skewed the comparison. Still, Ember's analysis positions April 2024 as a potential inflection point in the race to decarbonize the power sector.