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The U.S. journal Science has named the global surge in renewable energy as its 2025 Breakthrough of the Year, citing China’s dominance in solar, wind and battery production.
The journal said renewables this year covered all growth in global electricity demand and surpassed coal as a power source worldwide. It credited China’s subsidies and industrial scale for driving the transition, noting the country now produces 80% of solar cells, 70% of wind turbines and 70% of lithium batteries.
Imports of solar panels have soared in Africa and South Asia, where rooftop systems are powering homes and small businesses. Europe and countries across the Global South are also expanding purchases of Chinese green technology.
Science said the boom has slowed emissions growth in China and put a global carbon peak within reach, though deeper cuts are still needed.
Other runners‑up for Breakthrough of the Year included custom gene editing, new drugs for gonorrhea, a powerful optical telescope, large language models applied to research and heat‑tolerant rice.
