Wind energy remained the largest renewable source of electricity in the USA during the first ten months of 2025, according to a review by the Sun Day Campaign based on data from the Energy Information Administration. Wind turbines generated 9.9% of total U.S. electricity output over the period, marking a 1.1% increase compared with the same months in 2024 and producing 84% more electricity than hydropower.
Combined wind and solar generation continued to gain ground against conventional sources. Between January and October 2025, wind together with utility-scale and small-scale solar supplied 18.9% of total U.S. electricity generation, up from 17.3% a year earlier. The combined output of wind and solar exceeded that of coal by 16.6% and nuclear power by 10.8% over the same period, while nuclear generation showed no growth.
Solar energy recorded the fastest growth rates. In October, utility-scale solar generation increased by 23.3% year on year, while small-scale solar rose by 12.6%. Together, solar sources accounted for 9.1% of U.S. electricity generation during the month. Over the first ten months of the year, combined solar output rose by 28.1% compared with 2024 and exceeded electricity production from hydropower, biomass and geothermal combined.
All renewable sources together, including wind, solar, hydropower, biomass and geothermal, generated 25.7% of U.S. electricity in January to October, up from 24.3% a year earlier. This placed renewables second only to natural gas, whose electricity output declined by 3.6% over the same period.
Capacity additions during 2025 were dominated by solar and battery storage, with wind also contributing. Utility-scale solar capacity increased by 19,477.6 MW, with a further 4,837.7 MW from small-scale solar. Wind capacity rose by 3,796.0 MW, while battery storage expanded by 12,150.3 MW, representing 45% growth since the start of the year. In contrast, natural gas capacity grew by 3,479.6 MW, nuclear by 46.0 MW, while coal and petroleum-based capacity declined.
Looking ahead to 2026, the Energy Information Administration forecasts that all net new generating capacity will come from renewables and battery storage. Utility-scale renewables and batteries are projected to add 68,528.0 MW over the next 12 months, with natural gas increases fully offset by further coal retirements. If realised, renewables would account for more than 36% of total U.S. generating capacity by late 2026.
