Worldwide solar and wind power generation increased faster than the growth of electricity demand in the first six months of the year, according to a new analysis that indicates renewable energy sources are expanding fast enough to meet global increases in power needs.

The report released Tuesday by energy think tank Ember also found that for the first time on record, renewable energy sources such as these and hydropower, bioenergy and geothermal together generated more power than coal.

Global solar generation grew by a record 31% in the first half of the year, while wind generation grew by 7.7%, according to the report. Solar and wind generation grew by more than 400 terawatt hours combined, which was more than overall global demand increased in the same period.

The findings suggest it is possible for the world to wean off polluting sources of power — even as demand for electricity skyrockets — with continued investment in key clean energies.

“That means that they can keep up the pace with growing appetite for electricity worldwide,” Małgorzata Wiatros-Motyka, senior electricity analyst at Ember and lead author of the study, said of renewables.

At the same time, total fossil fuel generation dropped slightly, by less than 1%.

The firm analyzes monthly data from 88 countries representing the vast majority of electricity demand around the world. Reasons that demand is increasing include economic growth, electric vehicles and data centers, rising populations in developing countries and the need for more cooling as temperatures rise.

Meeting that demand by burning fossil fuels such as coal and gas for electricity releases planet-warming gases including carbon dioxide and methane. This leads to more severe, costly and deadly extreme weather.

Ember also dedicated part of its report to an analysis of China, India, the European Union and the U.S. Combined, they account for nearly two-thirds of electricity generation and carbon dioxide emissions from the power sector globally.

In the first six months of the year, China added more solar and wind than the rest of the world combined, and its fossil fuel generation fell by 2%, the report said.

India saw record solar and wind growth that outpaced the growth in demand. India's fossil fuel generation also dropped.

In both nations, emissions fell.

But in the U.S., demand growth outpaced the growth of clean power generation. In the E.U., sluggish wind and hydropower generation contributed to higher coal and gas generation, the report said. In both markets, fossil fuel generation and emissions increased.

The U.S. clean energy market faces challenges as President Donald Trump's administration has shifted federal policy away from renewables and toward boosting coal, oil and gas production. The administration has terminated Biden-era funding supporting clean energy projects, repealed policy that allows climate-related regulation and halted wind developments.

Meanwhile, the administration has lifted barriers to coal mining, granted two years of regulatory relief to coal-fired power plants and other polluting industries and dedicated millions of dollars to these coal plants.

In his speech at the United Nations General Assembly last month, Trump attacked renewable energy and questioned the validity of the concept of climate change.

Experts warn Trump's efforts to block clean energy will have a long-term impact.

AP Video produced by Julián Trejo Bax

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