United States of America (Enmaeya News) — A new report from energy think tank Ember reveals a historic shift in the U.S. energy sector, as wind and solar energy surpassed coal in electricity generation for the first time in 2024. Coal’s share of the electricity mix dropped to 15 percent, while wind and solar collectively contributed 17 percent. Despite the Trump administration’s pivot away from clean energy, market forces continue to drive renewable expansion. Solar, in particular, was the fastest-growing energy source, accounting for 81 percent of added capacity and increasing by a record 31 gigawatts. Although China still dominates solar supply chains, the U.S. significantly expanded its domestic manufacturing capacity, particularly in Texas. Wind energy also experienced steady growth and remains a larger contributor to electricity generation than solar, covering about 10 percent of the U.S. energy mix.

However, the transition to renewables faces challenges, including federal rollbacks on clean energy funding, executive orders halting wind project approvals, and potential tariff threats that could increase costs. Meanwhile, electricity demand in the U.S. rose by 3 percent in 2024 due to energy-intensive industries such as AI data centers and crypto mining. This growing demand led to a 3.3 percent increase in gas-fired power generation, reinforcing the role of fossil fuels despite their environmental impact. A separate report suggests that the U.S. will need 900 gigawatts of new renewable capacity by 2040 but controversially advocates for expanding gas infrastructure as well. Ember's analysts remain optimistic about solar's continued dominance, emphasizing that falling costs and battery storage advancements will enable renewables to outcompete gas in the near future. While fossil fuels still account for around 60 percent of the U.S. electricity mix, the rapid rise of renewables signals a fundamental transformation in the country’s energy landscape.