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In a first, wind and solar generated more power than gas globally in April 2026

electrek.co

June 4, 2026

3 min read

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65/100

Summary

In April 2026, wind and solar energy generated more electricity than gas for the first time, producing 22% of the world's electricity compared to gas's 20%. Together, wind and solar generated a record 531 terawatt-hours (TWh), surpassing gas's output of 477 TWh by 54 TWh.

Key Takeaways

In April 2026, wind and solar energy generated 22% of the world's electricity, surpassing gas generation at 20% for the first time in history.
Wind and solar combined produced a record 531 terawatt-hours (TWh) of electricity in April 2026, exceeding gas generation by 54 TWh.
Global output from wind and solar increased by an estimated 13% year over year in April 2026, with significant growth reported in major markets such as the UK (+35%) and China (+14%).
Countries are accelerating renewable energy targets, with Indonesia planning to develop 100 GW of solar capacity and South Korea aiming to triple its renewables capacity to 100 GW by 2030.

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Community Sentiment

Mixed

Positives

Technological advancements in solar and wind energy, including battery storage, are rapidly making these sources cheaper and more reliable, which is crucial for sustainable energy transition.
The exponential growth of solar power deployment indicates a significant shift towards clean energy, potentially transforming global energy consumption patterns in the coming decades.
The improvement in battery technology over the last decade has greatly enhanced the efficiency of solar systems, making them more viable for off-grid applications.

Concerns

Despite the progress in renewable energy, coal remains a dominant source of power, indicating that the transition to cleaner energy sources is still facing significant challenges.
The reliance on gas peaker plants highlights the current limitations of renewable energy in providing on-demand power, raising concerns about energy reliability and stability.
Many regions still depend heavily on fossil fuels, and the transition to renewables may not be fast enough to meet urgent climate goals.