Renewable energy produces more electricity globally than coal for the first time

Ottoline Spearman

Renewable energy has produced more of the world's electricity than coal, for the first time ever.

In the first half of the year, solar and wind energy outstripped growth in global electricity demand, and led to a reduction in the use of fossil fuels.

Research carried out by think-tank Ember shows that developing countries led the clean energy charge, with China and India both seeing fossil fuel use declining.

The team analysed data from 88 countries, which represents 93 per cent of global demand.

Speaking on Newstalk, Oisin Coghlan, Policy Advisor with the Environmental Pillar, said there is a good reason for this:

"Solar electricity is now pretty much the cheapest way to make electricity anywhere in the world.

"So we're beginning to get a leapfrog effect.

"In the same way as coal-fired or gas-fired electricity didn't reach places in Africa, solar now is, because you can put it up on your village yourself and you don't have to even rely on the grid."