Renewables beat fossil fuels in monthly US energy generation for first time ever

• Renewable energy surpassed fossil fuels in monthly U.S. electricity generation for the first time during March. Clean energy sources supplied 50.8% of the nation’s power, while fossil fuels provided 49.2%, its lowest share ever recorded.
• Wind and solar contributed significantly to the renewable increase, together making up 24.4% of the energy mix, as solar rose 37% and wind was up 12% from 2024.
• Seasonal factors helped boost renewables in March, but long-term trends indicate strong growth for clean energy.

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Renewable energy sources generated more electricity than fossil fuels in the United States during March, according to new data released by the global energy think tank Ember. This marks the first month on record where clean energy outpaced oil and gas in the nation’s power supply.

What did this data reveal about the US energy mix in March?

Ember found that fossil fuels accounted for 49.2% of U.S. electricity generation in March 2025, its lowest monthly share ever recorded. This represents a decrease from the previous record low of 51% set in April 2024.

Meanwhile, renewable sources — including wind, solar, hydropower, bioenergy and nuclear — collectively supplied 50.8% of the nation’s electricity in March. The increase was driven largely by wind and solar, which together made up 24.4% of the U.S. electricity mix. Compared to the same month in 2024, solar generation rose by 37% and wind grew by 12%. During the same period, electricity generated from fossil fuels fell by 2.5%.

Are there any external factors driving this?

Experts, however, caution the data may reflect seasonal trends. March falls within the so-called “spring shoulder season,” a period from March to May when milder temperatures typically reduce overall energy demand. At the same time, renewables often perform better due to factors like longer daylight hours and higher wind speeds.

What happens next?

Although these favorable conditions potentially inflated the amount of electricity produced by clean power sources last month, and despite the Trump administration’s desire to rescind tax credits tied to renewable projects, sustainable energy infrastructure is still expected to see growth in the U.S. throughout 2025. According to the International Energy Agency, wind, solar and battery storage systems are expected to account for 93% of the United States’ new utility-scale power capacity in 2025.