Renewable energy sources now generate over 40% of global electricity. Really!

I bet it is phony news! This appears to be junk journalism! Very likely capacity and actual generation was intentionally confused!

Supposedly, China meets 81% of its electricity generation with renewable energy. This is highly doubtful! Just look at the dubious language of the excerpt from the executive summary of the Ember report.

"A report from UK-based climate and energy think tank Ember notes that clean energy sources accounted for 40.9% percent of electricity produced around the world in 2024. ...

The push past the 40% mark for clean electricity in 2024 was primarily fueled by the unprecedented growth in solar energy, coupled with significant contributions from wind and a recovery in hydropower, alongside a small rise in nuclear power. China and the European Union (EU) demonstrated the most remarkable increases in clean electricity generation, with the former meeting 81% of its demand through renewables. Meanwhile, 71% of the EU's electricity came from clean sources. ..."

Pertinent excerpt from the executive summary of the Ember report:

"Solar generation has doubled over the last three years to reach over 2000 TWh. Solar was the largest source of new electricity generation globally for the third year in a row (+474 TWh) and the fastest growing source of electricity (+29%) for the 20th year in a row. More than half (53%) of the increase in solar generation in 2024 was in China, with China’s clean generation growth meeting 81% of its demand increase [???] in 2024. The fast pace of global solar growth is set to continue, with 2024 setting a new record for solar capacity installations in a single year – more than double the amount installed in 2022. Global solar power capacity reached 1 TW in 2022 after decades of growth, but reached 2 TW only two years later, in 2024."

Renewable energy sources now generate over 40% of global electricity

Ember: Global Electricity Review 2025 "Record renewables growth led by solar helped push clean [???] power past 40% of global electricity in 2024, but heatwave-related demand spikes led to a small increase in fossil generation."