Table of Contents
For the first time ever, wind and solar farms around the world have made more electricity than coal power plants. A new report says this is a very important change for the world’s energy. This happened in the first half of 2025.
The report comes from Ember, a group of climate experts. It found that renewable energy grew faster than the increasing amount of electricity that the world needs. As a result, the use of coal and gas went down by a small amount.
Solar power production increased by almost 33% compared to the same time last year. This new solar energy provided 83% of the world’s new electricity needs. Wind power also grew. Together, these clean energies replaced some fossil fuels. An expert at Ember said this is the start of a new period when clean energy can fulfil our growing energy needs.
China and India were the main reasons for this big increase in renewable energy. In contrast, the United States and Europe used more fossil fuels.
Another report from the International Energy Agency (IEA) agrees. It says renewable energy could more than double by 2030, with solar power growing the most. The IEA believes China and India will continue to be the largest markets for growth in clean energy. In China, the use of fossil fuels dropped by 2%. In India, coal and gas use also fell. However, in the US, the need for electricity grew faster than its clean energy, so coal power increased by 17%. In Europe, bad weather for wind and hydropower caused an increase in gas and coal use.
Vocabulary
- Ever – At any time; in history; in your life
- Wind farm – an area of land with many big wind turbines or “fans” used to generate/make electricity;
- Solar farm – a large area of land with many solar panels that use sunlight to generate/make electricity; 🌞
- Around the world – worldwide; in many places in the world; in many countries
- Electricity – power; current; energy used to operate lights, TVs, etc.; ⚡🔌
- Coal – a black or dark brown rock that burns strongly, a rock used to make big fires
- Power – energy; electricity ⚡
- Power plant – A place where electricity is made; A big building that makes electricity ⚡🏭
- Report – a written description of an event; story; article; the results of a study or project
- Energy – fuel; electricity; power; oil; ⚡
- Climate – the weather conditions and weather patterns of a place over a long period of time
- Expert – a person with a lot of knowledge and experience in a trade, job or profession
- Find – realize; learn; discover;
- Renewable energy – energy generated/created from renewable sources (wind, solar, water, etc.)
- Grow – To become bigger or increase in size; become; to get larger;
- Increase – to go up; to make something larger; to make more of; expand
- As a result – Because of what happened before; Because of that
- Gas – fuel that is like air and can be burned to make energy; a substance in a form like air that is used as a fuel for heating and cooking
- Solar power – Energy that comes from the sun and can be used to generate/create electricity
- Production – the process of making or creating something, usually on a large scale/in large numbers
- Compare – To look at two or more things and see how they are similar or different
- Provide – to give or supply something that is needed or requested
- Need – Something that is important or required
- Clean energy – energy generated/created from renewable sources (wind, solar, water, etc.) without creating greenhouse gasses (CO2)
- Replace – to take the place of; to substitute; to come after; to fill in; swap; exchange
- Fossil fuel – natural resources like coal, oil, and gas that are made from the remains of ancient plants and animals
- Period – a length of time; or portion of time
- Fulfil – To meet a need or complete a goal
- Main – the most important or the biggest;
- In contrast – When you show that two things are very different; opposite
- Agree – To have the same opinion or feeling as someone else; to say “yes” to something
- Double – two times more; 2x; 100% more
- Market – the field/area/place of trade or business; the buying/selling of a specific product or service; a category of potential buyers
- Use – the action of using something;
- Drop – to decrease; to go down; to become less; 📉
- Fall – To go down; to decrease; 📉
- Hydropower – Energy that comes from moving water like rivers and waterfalls and can be used to generate/create electricity
- Cause – make something (usually bad) happen; create
Quiz
Discussion Questions
- The report says this is a “very important change.” Why do you think it is important for wind and solar to make more power than coal?
- China and India were the main reasons for the growth. Why is it important for large countries to increase their clean energy?
- The US and Europe still used more fossil fuels. What do you think these rich countries/regions should do to change this?
- The IEA expects solar power to grow the most. Why is solar power a good choice for making clean energy in many places?
- English teachers looking for teaching ideas, check out my post on using easy news articles for lessons.
- English learners looking for study ideas, check out my post on using news stories for English practice.
Original Story
Fill-in-the-Blank Listening Practice
For the _____ time ever, wind and solar farms around the world have _____ more electricity than coal power plants. A new report says _____ is a very important change for the world’s energy. This _____ in the first half of _____.
The report comes from Ember, a _____ of climate experts. It found that renewable energy grew _____ than the increasing amount of electricity _____ the world needs. As a result, the use of coal and gas _____ down by a small amount.
_____ power production increased by almost 33% compared to the _____ time last year. This new solar energy provided _____% of the world’s new electricity needs. Wind _____ also grew. Together, these clean energies replaced some _____ fuels. An expert at Ember said this is the start of a _____ period when clean energy can fulfil our _____ energy needs.
China and India were the _____ reasons for this big increase in renewable energy. _____ contrast, the United States and Europe used _____ fossil fuels.
Another report from the International Energy Agency (IEA) _____. It says renewable energy could more than double by _____, with solar power growing the most. The IEA believes China and _____ will continue to be the largest markets for growth in _____ energy.
In China, the use of fossil _____ dropped by 2%. In India, coal and gas use also _____. However, in the US, the need for electricity grew faster _____ its clean energy, so coal power increased by 17%. In Europe, _____ weather for wind and hydropower caused an increase in gas and coal _____.
