In a first, wind and solar generated more power than gas globally in April 2026
Michelle Lewis | May 20 2026 - 4:01 pm PT
Photo: Vestas
Wind and solar just hit a major global milestone: For the first time ever, they generated more electricity than gas for the full month of April.
According to new analysis from independent energy think tank Ember, wind and solar produced 22% of the world’s electricity in April 2026, compared to 20% from gas. Together, the two renewable sources generated a record 531 terawatt-hours (TWh) of electricity during the month, 54 TWh more than gas plants generated globally, at 477 TWh.
The timing is notable. April marked the first full month of the latest global energy crisis tied to the conflict in the Middle East, and the data shows how quickly renewables are changing the power mix even as fossil fuel markets remain volatile.
Five years ago, in April 2021, gas generation was almost identical to today’s level at 476 TWh. But back then, wind and solar combined generated just 245 TWh – less than half of what they produced this April.
Wind and solar continue to grow
Ember says the latest numbers weren’t driven by the current crisis itself but by years of rapid renewable energy growth. Wind and solar grew fast enough in April to meet most of the increase in global electricity demand, which helped limit growth in gas generation.
The data also showed no signs of widespread switching from gas back to coal despite concerns over energy security and fuel prices.
Wind and solar generation increased across nearly every major market reporting April data. Globally, output rose an estimated 13% year over year, including:
- China: +14%
- EU: +13%
- UK: +35%
- US: +8%
- Australia: +17%
- Chile: +24%
- Brazil: +4%
April tends to be the strongest month for this kind of milestone because spring weather in the Northern Hemisphere usually brings a combination of strong wind generation, rising solar output, and lower electricity demand between heating and cooling seasons.
Still, the broader trend is clear. Ember’s recent Global Electricity Review found that wind and solar met all global electricity demand growth in 2025.
Countries are accelerating renewable energy plans
Governments around the world are also ramping up renewable energy targets to reduce dependence on volatile fossil fuel imports.
Recent announcements tracked by the Global Renewables Alliance include Indonesia’s plan to develop 100 GW of solar + storage capacity, South Korea’s target to triple its renewables capacity to 100 GW by 2030, and faster renewable energy deployment in countries including the Philippines, Thailand, and the UK.
“Countries around the world have been turning to wind and solar because they are cheap, homegrown, and secure sources of electricity,” said Kostantsa Rangelova, global electricity analyst at Ember.
“The current energy crisis has further strengthened the economic case for renewables compared to imported gas, while also adding greater political urgency to accelerate deployment. For many importing countries, LNG-powered electricity is increasingly unable to compete with wind and solar.”
