🌱 Environment

US Renewable Energy Hit a Record High in 2025 — Powering 26% of All Electricity Despite Political Headwinds

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The numbers are in, and they tell a clear story: clean energy is winning on economics — and that momentum is hard to stop.

US utilities generated **1,162 terawatt-hours** of electricity from renewable sources in 2025, according to federal data from the Energy Information Administration. That's a **10% increase** over the prior year and a new record high — enough to power approximately **108 million American homes** for a full year.

Renewables now account for **26% of all US electricity generation**. In peak months, the share ran even higher: in March 2025, nearly **1 in 3 electrons** in the US grid came from a renewable source.

**What's Driving It**

The economics of wind and solar have made them increasingly hard to beat. New renewable capacity is now more economical than many fossil fuel alternatives — not because of subsidies, but because the technology costs have dropped so dramatically over the past decade.

*"Renewables continue to grow, as much as headlines point to natural gas being king right now,"* said **Patrick Finn, principal analyst at Wood Mackenzie**. *"Even though there are plenty of hurdles for renewables coming out of D.C., we're coming out of four years where there weren't a lot of hurdles."*

**Not Just Blue States**

The growth is spread across the country. The **600-megawatt Hornet solar farm** opened just south of Amarillo, Texas in April 2025. The **Beaver Creek wind installation** near Billings, Montana came online with 248 megawatts of capacity. These aren't coastal blue-state projects — they're economically driven investments in energy-hungry regions.

**The Bigger Picture**

US energy demand is surging — driven by data centres, EV adoption, and industrial growth. Both renewables and fossil fuels increased output in 2025 to meet that demand. But the long-term trajectory is clear: clean energy is growing its share of a growing pie.

Projections from multiple analysts suggest **2026 is set to break 2025's record**, with solar and battery storage additions accelerating despite federal headwinds.

When the economics work, the market moves — regardless of what's happening in Washington. 🌬️☀️

*Sources: Los Angeles Times (March 4, 2026) · Semafor · US Energy Information Administration · Wood Mackenzie*

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