Global Electricity Generation: Wind and Solar Surpass Gas in April 2026

Wind and Solar Outpace Gas in Global Electricity Generation

For the first time, wind and solar generated more electricity globally than natural gas during a full month. In April 2026, these two renewable sources produced 22% of the world's electricity, totaling 531 terawatt-hours (TWh), while gas generated 20% (477 TWh). This milestone represents a significant shift in the global energy mix, with renewables producing 54 TWh more than gas plants during the period.

This shift is the result of years of rapid renewable energy growth rather than a short-term reaction to the energy crisis tied to Middle East conflicts. For comparison, in April 2021, wind and solar combined generated only 245 TWh—less than half of their April 2026 output—while gas generation remained nearly flat at 476 TWh.

Regional Growth and Market Trends

Renewable energy output increased across nearly every major reporting market in April 2026, with a global year-over-year increase of approximately 13%. The growth was particularly pronounced in several key regions:

  • UK: +35%
  • Chile: +24%
  • Australia: +17%
  • China: +14%
  • EU: +13%
  • US: +8%
  • Brazil: +4%

April is typically a strong month for renewable milestones in the Northern Hemisphere due to a combination of high wind generation, increasing solar output, and lower electricity demand as the region transitions between heating and cooling seasons.

Long-term Decarbonization and Policy Shifts

Wind and solar are increasingly meeting the entirety of global electricity demand growth. According to Ember's Global Electricity Review, wind and solar met all global electricity demand growth in 2025. Furthermore, renewables (33.8%, 10,730 TWh) overtook coal power (33.0%, 10,476 TWh) in the global electricity mix for the first time in a century.

Governments are accelerating deployment to reduce reliance on volatile fossil fuel imports. Notable targets include:

  • Indonesia: Planning 100 GW of solar and storage capacity.
  • South Korea: Targeting 100 GW of renewables by 2030.
  • Philippines, Thailand, and the UK: Accelerating renewable deployment.

Technical and Economic Perspectives

Electricity vs. Total Energy

Technical observers note a critical distinction between electricity generation and total energy consumption. While renewables are gaining ground in the power grid, gas remains dominant in non-electric sectors such as heating, cooking, shipping, and industrial boilers. As one commentator noted:

"Electricity only accounts for roughly 20-25% of all power / energy used and the vast majority of the remaining 75% is fueled by gas (cars, ships, heating, construction, ect.)"

Grid Stability and Storage

The integration of intermittent sources like wind and solar introduces challenges regarding grid redundancy and reliability. Discussion among technical users highlights the necessity of on-demand backup sources or massive battery deployment to prevent grid failure during downtime. However, real-world examples, such as recent events in Australia, demonstrate that batteries are increasingly capable of carrying severe evening peaking loads.

Geopolitical and Economic Drivers

Analysts suggest that the transition is shifting from a regulatory requirement to a competitive advantage. China's massive deployment of wind and solar is cited as an example of the effectiveness of long-term state planning over short-term market profits. Conversely, in the US, some observers point to political volatility and the continued funding of the coal industry as potential headwinds to the transition.

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