Renewable Milestones, Battery Growth & The AI Race

The global energy transition is reaching new milestones, with wind and solar overtaking fossil fuels in EU electricity generation and driving almost all of Texas's recent power growth. Meanwhile, battery production is expanding faster than earlier forecasts, countries are competing to lead in AI and electrotech, and the scale of minerals needed for the transition is put into perspective against global coal production.

⚡ Wind and Solar Overtake Fossil Fuels in the EU

Wind and solar generated more electricity than fossil fuels across the EU for the first time in 2025. The milestone demonstrates how far renewable power has advanced and shows that high levels of wind and solar generation are achievable across an entire electricity system.

Wind and solar generated more electricity than fossil fuels in the EU for the FIRST time ever in 2025 🌪️☀️ The EU’s milestone shows #COP31 that high renewable penetration is achievable at system scale. https://t.co/Xc3t0VEw14 https://t.co/303gSpe1kh

— Ember (@ember_energy) October 30, 2026

☀️ Wind and Solar Drive Texas Electricity Growth

Texas electricity generation has increased by 56% since 2005, adding 223 TWh of annual output. Wind and solar accounted for almost all of that growth, contributing an additional 214 TWh, while gas and coal generation combined increased by just 13 TWh.

Electricity generation in Texas increased rapidly over the last two decades. Since 2005, generation is up 56% (+223 TWh). Almost all of that growth was met by rising wind and solar power (+214 TWh). Gas replaced coal, but together they're only up 4% (+13 TWh). https://t.co/7nHTZZG8mh

— Nicolas Fulghum (@nicolasfulghum) October 30, 2026

🔋 Global Battery Production Growth Exceeds Earlier Forecasts

A 2019 BloombergNEF forecast highlighted the potential for rapid expansion in global battery production. A comparison of the original projections with actual output now shows how quickly the industry has developed, with battery manufacturing growth exceeding even the most ambitious expectations.

BloombergNEF w 2019 roku pokazał prognozę produkcji baterii na świecie. Nikt inny nie prognozował tak agresywnego wzrostu. Dziś w Monachium Michael Liebreich wrócił do tej prognozy, pokazanej na poniższym slajdzie w formie słupków i porównał ją z rzeczywistością w formie wykresu liniowego...

— Bartłomiej Derski (@bderski) October 29, 2026

🤖 Countries Race to Lead in AI and Electrotech

Countries are progressing at different speeds in two major technology races: AI computing and electrotech, including renewable energy, electrification and electric vehicles. The US leads in AI infrastructure, while Norway and Denmark stand out in electrotech. China is a notable dual leader, making strong progress in both areas.

Great chart... Two macro races: AI and electrotech build-out (2010–2025) This chart compares how countries have progressed in two related but different races between 2010 and 2025 Horizontal axis (x-axis) Electrotech gain since 2010: Measured as the percentage-point increase in solar and wind penetration + electrification + EV sales. Higher values mean more progress in renewable energy, electrification, and electric vehicles. Vertical axis (y-axis): AI compute build-out (H100-equivalent). Shows how much AI computing capacity a country has built (logarithmic scale from under 100 up to 1 million). Higher values mean more AI infrastructure. Where countries stand AI builders (high AI, relatively low electrotech): United States - Far ahead in AI compute (approaching 1M H100-equivalents), but modest electrotech gains (around 20–25 on the x-axis). Power / Electrotech builders (high electrotech, lower AI) Norway: Extremely high electrotech progress (over 100), low AI compute. Denmark: Very high electrotech, low AI. Sweden, Finland, Netherlands: Strong electrotech gains with relatively modest AI capacity. Germany and UK: Moderate electrotech progress, lower AI compute than the US or China. Balanced / dual leader: China: Strong on both axes, significant AI compute (around 100k) and solid electrotech gains (around 70–80). It is the clearest example of advancing in both races at once. Source: @ember_energy

— World Data Analysis (@World_Data_A) October 30, 2026

⛏️ Energy Transition Minerals Weigh Less Than One Year of Coal

The total weight of metals and minerals expected to be needed for the energy transition between now and 2050 is reportedly lower than the amount of coal the world extracts in a single year. The comparison highlights the enormous material scale of fossil fuel consumption.

Fact: ALL the metals and minerals the energy transition needs between now and 2050 weigh less than the coal the world mines in ONE single year

— Assaad Razzouk (@AssaadRazzouk) October 30, 2026