Nicolas Fulghum
@nicolasfulghum.bsky.social
Senior Energy and Climate Data Analyst @emberenergy.bsky.social | Lead author of the Global Electricity Review | Finding, curating and explaining the data behind the global energy⚡️transition.
A clean, electrified energy system has been a dream for decades. Thirty years ago the core components existed, but they weren't economical.
Rapid price drops have brought it into reality.
It's best to recognise a shift early. Second best is to act on it when it's staring us in the face.
Rapid price drops have brought it into reality.
It's best to recognise a shift early. Second best is to act on it when it's staring us in the face.
September 16, 2026 at 12:08 PM
A clean, electrified energy system has been a dream for decades. Thirty years ago the core components existed, but they weren't economical.
Rapid price drops have brought it into reality.
It's best to recognise a shift early. Second best is to act on it when it's staring us in the face.
Rapid price drops have brought it into reality.
It's best to recognise a shift early. Second best is to act on it when it's staring us in the face.
Among the doom and gloom, here's a hopeful development: China's industry is switching from fossil fuels to electricity.
The future energy system runs on electricity.
The future energy system runs on electricity.
September 14, 2026 at 12:42 PM
Among the doom and gloom, here's a hopeful development: China's industry is switching from fossil fuels to electricity.
The future energy system runs on electricity.
The future energy system runs on electricity.
European car manufacturers dragging their feet on EVs is the path to losing the industry for good.
China, the world's largest vehicle market, is simply moving along regardless. EVs are already over 50% of new registrations. The share of EV trucks already matches that of cars in Europe.
China, the world's largest vehicle market, is simply moving along regardless. EVs are already over 50% of new registrations. The share of EV trucks already matches that of cars in Europe.
September 10, 2026 at 1:56 PM
European car manufacturers dragging their feet on EVs is the path to losing the industry for good.
China, the world's largest vehicle market, is simply moving along regardless. EVs are already over 50% of new registrations. The share of EV trucks already matches that of cars in Europe.
China, the world's largest vehicle market, is simply moving along regardless. EVs are already over 50% of new registrations. The share of EV trucks already matches that of cars in Europe.
Gas power costs are reaching energy crisis levels again in the UK, which will inevitably push bills up for consumers.
The fortunes of the British economy are still tied to the price of a single fossil fuel. When bills go up, remember that this is the reason why.
The fortunes of the British economy are still tied to the price of a single fossil fuel. When bills go up, remember that this is the reason why.
September 10, 2026 at 11:34 AM
Gas power costs are reaching energy crisis levels again in the UK, which will inevitably push bills up for consumers.
The fortunes of the British economy are still tied to the price of a single fossil fuel. When bills go up, remember that this is the reason why.
The fortunes of the British economy are still tied to the price of a single fossil fuel. When bills go up, remember that this is the reason why.
The Conservatives' plan for getting power prices down in the UK is based on cheap-to-build and cheap-to-run gas plants.
In the real world, global gas markets are currently blessing the UK with the highest gas power costs since late 2022 (£115/MWh in fuel costs).
In the real world, global gas markets are currently blessing the UK with the highest gas power costs since late 2022 (£115/MWh in fuel costs).
September 2, 2026 at 9:35 AM
The Conservatives' plan for getting power prices down in the UK is based on cheap-to-build and cheap-to-run gas plants.
In the real world, global gas markets are currently blessing the UK with the highest gas power costs since late 2022 (£115/MWh in fuel costs).
In the real world, global gas markets are currently blessing the UK with the highest gas power costs since late 2022 (£115/MWh in fuel costs).
I'm personally not concerned about Germany being a net importer of electricity (it's just a sensible thing to engage in the European market), but for those who are...
Germany was a net exporter of electricity in August (trade flows in purple) for the first time since 2022.
Germany was a net exporter of electricity in August (trade flows in purple) for the first time since 2022.
September 1, 2026 at 8:46 AM
I'm personally not concerned about Germany being a net importer of electricity (it's just a sensible thing to engage in the European market), but for those who are...
Germany was a net exporter of electricity in August (trade flows in purple) for the first time since 2022.
Germany was a net exporter of electricity in August (trade flows in purple) for the first time since 2022.
Africa's solar boom is progressing much faster than official statistics are capturing.
Ember estimates that solar deployment in 2025 and 2026 is more than double what other statistics suggest.
2026 could hit 17 GW of solar deployment.
Ember estimates that solar deployment in 2025 and 2026 is more than double what other statistics suggest.
2026 could hit 17 GW of solar deployment.
August 28, 2026 at 9:48 AM
Africa's solar boom is progressing much faster than official statistics are capturing.
Ember estimates that solar deployment in 2025 and 2026 is more than double what other statistics suggest.
2026 could hit 17 GW of solar deployment.
Ember estimates that solar deployment in 2025 and 2026 is more than double what other statistics suggest.
2026 could hit 17 GW of solar deployment.
The clean power build out in China is at a different level.
Shandong's annual wind and solar generation has grown by 118 TWh in the last five years (47 in 2020, 165 in 2025).
That's more than Bangladesh's entire electricity demand (118 TWh in 2025).
Shandong's annual wind and solar generation has grown by 118 TWh in the last five years (47 in 2020, 165 in 2025).
That's more than Bangladesh's entire electricity demand (118 TWh in 2025).
August 19, 2026 at 1:01 PM
The clean power build out in China is at a different level.
Shandong's annual wind and solar generation has grown by 118 TWh in the last five years (47 in 2020, 165 in 2025).
That's more than Bangladesh's entire electricity demand (118 TWh in 2025).
Shandong's annual wind and solar generation has grown by 118 TWh in the last five years (47 in 2020, 165 in 2025).
That's more than Bangladesh's entire electricity demand (118 TWh in 2025).
We can finally share our newest dataset and tool: Chinese provincial electricity data.
Five Chinese provinces would make it into the top ten generators of wind and solar power globally, if they were countries. With this new tool we're giving a look into some of the largest power systems on earth.
Five Chinese provinces would make it into the top ten generators of wind and solar power globally, if they were countries. With this new tool we're giving a look into some of the largest power systems on earth.
August 19, 2026 at 7:55 AM
We can finally share our newest dataset and tool: Chinese provincial electricity data.
Five Chinese provinces would make it into the top ten generators of wind and solar power globally, if they were countries. With this new tool we're giving a look into some of the largest power systems on earth.
Five Chinese provinces would make it into the top ten generators of wind and solar power globally, if they were countries. With this new tool we're giving a look into some of the largest power systems on earth.
US solar generation has grown by an order of magnitude in the last decade:
July 2026: 53.3 TWh
July 2016: 5.9 TWh
And growth is still strong...July 2026 was 23% higher than July 2025 and solar is up 20% across the first seven months of 2026.
July 2026: 53.3 TWh
July 2016: 5.9 TWh
And growth is still strong...July 2026 was 23% higher than July 2025 and solar is up 20% across the first seven months of 2026.
August 11, 2026 at 3:59 PM
US solar generation has grown by an order of magnitude in the last decade:
July 2026: 53.3 TWh
July 2016: 5.9 TWh
And growth is still strong...July 2026 was 23% higher than July 2025 and solar is up 20% across the first seven months of 2026.
July 2026: 53.3 TWh
July 2016: 5.9 TWh
And growth is still strong...July 2026 was 23% higher than July 2025 and solar is up 20% across the first seven months of 2026.
July made it three months in a row where solar was the single largest source of electricity in the EU 🇪🇺
May: 23.5%
June: 25.0%
July: 24.9%
All fossil fuels (coal, gas, oil etc.) combined were just narrowly higher in July at 25.4%.
May: 23.5%
June: 25.0%
July: 24.9%
All fossil fuels (coal, gas, oil etc.) combined were just narrowly higher in July at 25.4%.
August 10, 2026 at 10:12 AM
July made it three months in a row where solar was the single largest source of electricity in the EU 🇪🇺
May: 23.5%
June: 25.0%
July: 24.9%
All fossil fuels (coal, gas, oil etc.) combined were just narrowly higher in July at 25.4%.
May: 23.5%
June: 25.0%
July: 24.9%
All fossil fuels (coal, gas, oil etc.) combined were just narrowly higher in July at 25.4%.
The Telegraph has had its struggles with misrepresenting facts in the energy transition, but this feels like a pretty egregious example.
This all from their Energy Editor...
You'd expect at least some will to read the basis for the article they're writing.
This all from their Energy Editor...
You'd expect at least some will to read the basis for the article they're writing.
Lies.
It's 200 times when solar panels are "mentioned" in the fire report.
e.g. “the fire did not reach the solar panel”
It's 200 times when solar panels are "mentioned" in the fire report.
e.g. “the fire did not reach the solar panel”
August 10, 2026 at 9:24 AM
The Telegraph has had its struggles with misrepresenting facts in the energy transition, but this feels like a pretty egregious example.
This all from their Energy Editor...
You'd expect at least some will to read the basis for the article they're writing.
This all from their Energy Editor...
You'd expect at least some will to read the basis for the article they're writing.
Reposted by Nicolas Fulghum
Lies.
It's 200 times when solar panels are "mentioned" in the fire report.
e.g. “the fire did not reach the solar panel”
It's 200 times when solar panels are "mentioned" in the fire report.
e.g. “the fire did not reach the solar panel”
August 10, 2026 at 7:59 AM
Lies.
It's 200 times when solar panels are "mentioned" in the fire report.
e.g. “the fire did not reach the solar panel”
It's 200 times when solar panels are "mentioned" in the fire report.
e.g. “the fire did not reach the solar panel”
Solar output in the UK recorded an all-time high in July, reaching 3.2 TWh.
33% higher than July last year.
Accelerating solar deployment coincided with a historically sunny month to produce this record. Solar power is delivering when heatwaves are at their worst.
33% higher than July last year.
Accelerating solar deployment coincided with a historically sunny month to produce this record. Solar power is delivering when heatwaves are at their worst.
August 4, 2026 at 8:09 AM
Solar output in the UK recorded an all-time high in July, reaching 3.2 TWh.
33% higher than July last year.
Accelerating solar deployment coincided with a historically sunny month to produce this record. Solar power is delivering when heatwaves are at their worst.
33% higher than July last year.
Accelerating solar deployment coincided with a historically sunny month to produce this record. Solar power is delivering when heatwaves are at their worst.
July marks the first consecutive twelve month period where wind generated more electricity than gas in the UK...in every single month.
In the last decade, wind generation in the UK has more than doubled, pushing first coal and now gas out of the mix.
In the last decade, wind generation in the UK has more than doubled, pushing first coal and now gas out of the mix.
August 3, 2026 at 4:11 PM
July marks the first consecutive twelve month period where wind generated more electricity than gas in the UK...in every single month.
In the last decade, wind generation in the UK has more than doubled, pushing first coal and now gas out of the mix.
In the last decade, wind generation in the UK has more than doubled, pushing first coal and now gas out of the mix.
Texas is the #1 wind and solar growth state in the US
Wind and solar met all the growth in electricity generation in Texas in the last decade, while gas replaced more expensive coal.
Total electricity generation is up over 30% since 2015.
Wind and solar met all the growth in electricity generation in Texas in the last decade, while gas replaced more expensive coal.
Total electricity generation is up over 30% since 2015.
July 30, 2026 at 2:45 PM
Texas is the #1 wind and solar growth state in the US
Wind and solar met all the growth in electricity generation in Texas in the last decade, while gas replaced more expensive coal.
Total electricity generation is up over 30% since 2015.
Wind and solar met all the growth in electricity generation in Texas in the last decade, while gas replaced more expensive coal.
Total electricity generation is up over 30% since 2015.
20 years ago, almost all of New Mexico's electricity generation came from coal and gas.
In April of this year, that share dropped to 31%. This was the lowest share ever recorded, as wind and solar surged to 69%.
April 2006: 94%
April 2016: 78%
April 2026: 31%
In April of this year, that share dropped to 31%. This was the lowest share ever recorded, as wind and solar surged to 69%.
April 2006: 94%
April 2016: 78%
April 2026: 31%
July 29, 2026 at 4:52 PM
20 years ago, almost all of New Mexico's electricity generation came from coal and gas.
In April of this year, that share dropped to 31%. This was the lowest share ever recorded, as wind and solar surged to 69%.
April 2006: 94%
April 2016: 78%
April 2026: 31%
In April of this year, that share dropped to 31%. This was the lowest share ever recorded, as wind and solar surged to 69%.
April 2006: 94%
April 2016: 78%
April 2026: 31%
California and Texas are the largest solar power producers in the US, but on a per capita basis, New Mexico and Nevada are far ahead.
In Nevada, solar produced ~5,000 kWh per capita in 2025.
That's enough to drive an electric car over 15,000 miles, more than the average American drives per year.
In Nevada, solar produced ~5,000 kWh per capita in 2025.
That's enough to drive an electric car over 15,000 miles, more than the average American drives per year.
July 28, 2026 at 4:53 PM
California and Texas are the largest solar power producers in the US, but on a per capita basis, New Mexico and Nevada are far ahead.
In Nevada, solar produced ~5,000 kWh per capita in 2025.
That's enough to drive an electric car over 15,000 miles, more than the average American drives per year.
In Nevada, solar produced ~5,000 kWh per capita in 2025.
That's enough to drive an electric car over 15,000 miles, more than the average American drives per year.
NEW | California just reached a world-first solar milestone
Over HALF (51%) of electricity generation across the whole month of May came from solar power.
Battery storage is the big difference maker, enabling California to push the share of solar generation to this level.
Over HALF (51%) of electricity generation across the whole month of May came from solar power.
Battery storage is the big difference maker, enabling California to push the share of solar generation to this level.
July 28, 2026 at 12:54 PM
NEW | California just reached a world-first solar milestone
Over HALF (51%) of electricity generation across the whole month of May came from solar power.
Battery storage is the big difference maker, enabling California to push the share of solar generation to this level.
Over HALF (51%) of electricity generation across the whole month of May came from solar power.
Battery storage is the big difference maker, enabling California to push the share of solar generation to this level.
Solar produced a record 35.5% of Germany's electricity in June ☀️
That was more than all fossil fuels combined:
Solar: 35.5%
Fossil: 30.7%
Other: 33.8%
10 years ago, solar reached a share of 11.6% in June, and has since tripled.
That was more than all fossil fuels combined:
Solar: 35.5%
Fossil: 30.7%
Other: 33.8%
10 years ago, solar reached a share of 11.6% in June, and has since tripled.
July 24, 2026 at 1:04 PM
Solar produced a record 35.5% of Germany's electricity in June ☀️
That was more than all fossil fuels combined:
Solar: 35.5%
Fossil: 30.7%
Other: 33.8%
10 years ago, solar reached a share of 11.6% in June, and has since tripled.
That was more than all fossil fuels combined:
Solar: 35.5%
Fossil: 30.7%
Other: 33.8%
10 years ago, solar reached a share of 11.6% in June, and has since tripled.
In June, EV exports from China reached over $10 billion for the first time.
The value of monthly exports has more than doubled over the last 12 months.
How many signs will the US, German etc. auto industry need?
EVs aren't the future, they're the present.
The value of monthly exports has more than doubled over the last 12 months.
How many signs will the US, German etc. auto industry need?
EVs aren't the future, they're the present.
July 24, 2026 at 11:32 AM
In June, EV exports from China reached over $10 billion for the first time.
The value of monthly exports has more than doubled over the last 12 months.
How many signs will the US, German etc. auto industry need?
EVs aren't the future, they're the present.
The value of monthly exports has more than doubled over the last 12 months.
How many signs will the US, German etc. auto industry need?
EVs aren't the future, they're the present.
June 2026 was the first month where solar generation reached a quarter of EU electricity generation.
After a very sunny spring 2025, output in 2026 has now risen substantially above last year to continue the rapid year-on-year growth in solar output.
After a very sunny spring 2025, output in 2026 has now risen substantially above last year to continue the rapid year-on-year growth in solar output.
July 15, 2026 at 11:18 AM
June 2026 was the first month where solar generation reached a quarter of EU electricity generation.
After a very sunny spring 2025, output in 2026 has now risen substantially above last year to continue the rapid year-on-year growth in solar output.
After a very sunny spring 2025, output in 2026 has now risen substantially above last year to continue the rapid year-on-year growth in solar output.
NEW | Solar generated a QUARTER of EU electricity in June 🇪🇺⚡️
Solar was also the single largest source of power generation (25%) ahead of nuclear (21%), gas (15%) and wind (14%).
Five years ago, in 2021, solar was still at 10% in June.
Solar was also the single largest source of power generation (25%) ahead of nuclear (21%), gas (15%) and wind (14%).
Five years ago, in 2021, solar was still at 10% in June.
July 14, 2026 at 10:21 AM
NEW | Solar generated a QUARTER of EU electricity in June 🇪🇺⚡️
Solar was also the single largest source of power generation (25%) ahead of nuclear (21%), gas (15%) and wind (14%).
Five years ago, in 2021, solar was still at 10% in June.
Solar was also the single largest source of power generation (25%) ahead of nuclear (21%), gas (15%) and wind (14%).
Five years ago, in 2021, solar was still at 10% in June.
A clear indicator of where the future is going:
Our Ember data for the OECD shows that wind and solar matched electricity generation from gas in April.
A lot has changed in recent years:
April 2019 to April 2026:
- Gas: 28% → 26%⬇️
- Wind and solar: 13% → 26%⬆️
Our Ember data for the OECD shows that wind and solar matched electricity generation from gas in April.
A lot has changed in recent years:
April 2019 to April 2026:
- Gas: 28% → 26%⬇️
- Wind and solar: 13% → 26%⬆️
July 10, 2026 at 11:32 AM
A clear indicator of where the future is going:
Our Ember data for the OECD shows that wind and solar matched electricity generation from gas in April.
A lot has changed in recent years:
April 2019 to April 2026:
- Gas: 28% → 26%⬇️
- Wind and solar: 13% → 26%⬆️
Our Ember data for the OECD shows that wind and solar matched electricity generation from gas in April.
A lot has changed in recent years:
April 2019 to April 2026:
- Gas: 28% → 26%⬇️
- Wind and solar: 13% → 26%⬆️
Reposted by Nicolas Fulghum
I'm sorry, but this is mind-boggling even for someone who looks at solar numbers all the time.
Solar's sharp rise continues.
As of April 2026, global solar capacity now exceeds 3 terawatt.
1 gigawatt → 1 terawatt: 20+ years
1 terawatt → 2 terawatt: 33 months
2 terawatt → 3 terawatt: 19 months
As of April 2026, global solar capacity now exceeds 3 terawatt.
1 gigawatt → 1 terawatt: 20+ years
1 terawatt → 2 terawatt: 33 months
2 terawatt → 3 terawatt: 19 months
July 9, 2026 at 6:33 PM
I'm sorry, but this is mind-boggling even for someone who looks at solar numbers all the time.