For the first time, wind and solar produced more electricity than coal nationwide

In 2024, wind and solar produced 17% of US electricity, overtaking coal for the first time as coal fell to 15%. This transition is evident in 24 states, driven by market dynamics, cost-effectiveness, and policy mandates like the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act in Illinois.

• In 2024, wind and solar combined produced a record 17% (757 TWh) of US electricity, surpassing coal, which fell to an all-time low of 15%. This represents a 15% increase (+97 TWh) for renewables compared to 2023.
• Since the peak of US coal power in 2007, coal generation has decreased by over two-thirds (-68%), losing 1,364 TWh. This decline was offset by a twentyfold expansion of wind and solar (+722 TWh) and a more than doubling of gas generation (+968 TWh).
• Wind and solar have overtaken coal in 24 US states since 2007, with half of those transitions occurring in the last six years. Illinois was the most recent state to cross over in 2024, following Arizona, Colorado, Florida, and Maryland in 2023.
• The transition is driven by market dynamics, the reduced unit costs of wind and solar, and specific policy mandates. For example, Illinois' 2021 Climate and Equitable Jobs Act and New Mexico's 2019 Energy Transition Act mandated the retirement of coal plants, while states like Vermont, Minnesota, and Oregon used Renewable Portfolio Standards (RPS).
• While the shift from coal to renewables has reduced carbon intensity, the continued rise of gas generation to meet growing electricity demand is slowing overall emissions reductions.

APA

Ember (2025). For the first time, wind and solar produced more electricity than coal nationwide. https://ember-energy.org/chapter/insight-1/

Chicago

Ember. For the first time, wind and solar produced more electricity than coal nationwide. 2025. https://ember-energy.org/chapter/insight-1/.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Ember |title=For the first time, wind and solar produced more electricity than coal nationwide |date=6 March 2025 |url=https://ember-energy.org/chapter/insight-1/ |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{ember2025first, author = {{Ember}}, title = {{For the first time, wind and solar produced more electricity than coal nationwide}}, institution = {Ember}, year = {2025}, month = mar, url = {https://ember-energy.org/chapter/insight-1/}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }