Renewables Overtake Coal Globally for the First Time in Six Months, Says ISA Chief Ashish Khanna – EQ
In Short : International Solar Alliance Director General Ashish Khanna announced that renewable energy generation has surpassed coal for the first time in six months, marking a key milestone in the global energy transition. He credited rapid solar expansion—especially in the Asia-Pacific region, which contributes 71% of new installations—while noting growing opportunities in Latin America and Africa’s untapped solar potential.
In Detail : Renewable energy generation has surpassed coal for the first time in six months, marking a historic shift in the global energy landscape. International Solar Alliance (ISA) Director General Ashish Khanna announced the milestone, highlighting it as a strong indicator of the world’s accelerating transition toward clean and sustainable energy sources.
Khanna emphasized that this achievement underscores the growing competitiveness and reliability of renewables compared to fossil fuels. He noted that the expansion of large-scale solar and wind projects, supported by strong policy frameworks and declining technology costs, has played a crucial role in reshaping the global power mix.
According to Khanna, the Asia-Pacific region has emerged as the powerhouse of renewable growth, contributing nearly 71 percent of new solar installations worldwide. Countries like India, China, and Australia have significantly ramped up solar capacity, demonstrating their commitment to cleaner and more self-reliant energy futures.
He further pointed out that Latin America is fast becoming the next major hub for renewable investments. Nations such as Brazil, Chile, and Mexico are scaling up solar and wind projects, supported by favorable regulatory reforms and growing private sector participation in clean energy infrastructure.
While developed and emerging economies are progressing rapidly, Khanna drew attention to Africa’s untapped potential. Despite abundant solar resources, many African nations still face challenges in financing, infrastructure, and grid access, limiting their ability to harness renewable energy effectively at scale.
The ISA chief called for greater international cooperation and financial innovation to bridge these gaps, particularly through concessional financing and technology sharing. He stressed that supporting Africa’s solar development would not only boost energy access but also accelerate global decarbonization goals.
Khanna also emphasized that the transition to renewables is not only an environmental imperative but also an economic opportunity. Investments in renewable energy are creating millions of green jobs globally, driving innovation, and fostering long-term energy security across regions.
He highlighted that sustained collaboration among governments, multilateral institutions, and the private sector is essential to maintain this momentum. The focus, he said, should be on integrating renewable energy with modern storage, smart grids, and hybrid systems to ensure stability and resilience in power supply.
As renewable energy continues to outpace coal and other fossil sources, Khanna concluded that the milestone marks the beginning of a new global era. He reaffirmed the ISA’s commitment to supporting member nations in scaling renewable capacity and building a cleaner, inclusive, and sustainable energy future for all.
