Wind and solar surpass gas globally for first time in April 2026
By
Danny Kennedy
Crisp on the outside, thoughtful on the inside. A keeper.
Summary
In April 2026, wind and solar energy generated more electricity globally than gas for the first time in history, producing 531 TWh versus 477 TWh from gas. The author, attending conferences in Singapore and Indonesia, highlights this milestone as a major but under-discussed disruption in the energy sector. The piece explores the cognitive dissonance among elite financial and philanthropic leaders who struggle to fully acknowledge or act on the accelerating renewable energy transition, particularly in the Asian context.
Key quotes
· 3 pulledFor the first time in history, wind and solar generated more electricity than gas across the entire planet.
In April 2026, renewables produced 531 terawatt-hours of electricity — 54 TWh more than gas plants worldwide.
You'd think this would be the talk of every energy-related conference on the planet this month.
You might also wanna read
UK Avoids £1 Billion in Gas Imports Through Record Wind and Solar Generation in March 2026
Analysis shows the UK avoided £1 billion in gas imports in March 2026 due to record electricity generation from wind and solar power. Wind g
carbonbrief.org·2mo ago
Renewables Surpass Natural Gas in U.S. Power Generation for First Time
For the first time in U.S. history, renewable energy sources generated more electricity than natural gas in a recent month, marking a signif
e360.yale.edu·1mo ago
Europe's Renewable Energy Milestone: Wind and Solar Now Outpace Fossil Fuels in Power Generation
Europe has reached a significant energy milestone, with wind and solar power generation now surpassing fossil fuels for the first time. In 2
e360.yale.edu·4mo ago
Solar Power Becomes World's Leading Energy Source for New Capacity, IEA Reports
The International Energy Agency's 2026 Global Energy Review reveals that solar power has become the world's leading source of new energy cap
electrek.co·1mo ago
Solar Power Surpasses Hydroelectric Generation in US for First Time After 35% Growth
The article reports on the US Energy Information Administration's 2025 electricity generation data, revealing a mixed picture. While overall
arstechnica.com·3mo ago
Global Clean Energy Achieved Major Milestones in 2025 Despite U.S. Policy Setbacks
The article highlights significant global clean energy milestones achieved in 2025, despite the Trump administration rolling back renewable
e360.yale.edu·5mo ago