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In what many are calling a pivotal moment, renewables have for the first time generated more electricity globally than coal. Reports from energy “think tanks” such as Ember, show in the first half of 2025, renewables not only met almost all the growth in global electricity demand, but also pushed coal generation into second place for the first time in 50 years.
This shift is not just statistical. It marks a changing ideal: one where fossil fuels, forever the backbone of global power generation, are increasingly being sidelined. The decline of coal is being driven by multiple factors: rapidly falling costs of renewable technologies, stronger climate policy, rising carbon prices, and growing public and investor pressure. At the same time, demand for electricity continues to surge, driven by electrification (e.g. electric vehicles and renewable forms of heating), digitalisation and data centres.
The Role of Heat Pumps
Heat pumps play a growing role in the UK’s transition to low-carbon heating, offering a clean, efficient alternative to traditional gas boilers. By using electricity to transfer heat from the air or ground, they drastically reduce emissions and demand on fossil fuels. As the UK moves away from fossil fuels, heat pumps are at the forefront of this evolution, helping households and businesses cut carbon, lower bills, and support the country’s journey toward net zero.
This has a two-fold effect:
- Increasing demand for electricity – heat pumps require electricity, so as more homes and businesses use them, demand increases, further incentivising investment in renewables such as solar.
- Reducing fossil fuel heating – less dependence on oil or gas for heating reduces emissions and helps decarbonise one of the harder sectors in the energy mix.
CTC and Swedish / Scandinavian Heritage in the Net Zero Push
Scandinavia have long led the way in renewable heating, efficient building design, and ambitious climate policy. With their cold winters, abundant renewable energy from hydro, wind, and biomass, and strong public commitment to sustainability, the region has become a hub for innovation in low-carbon heating technologies.
Swedish manufacturer CTC, based in Småland, has been pioneering heating systems since 1923, designing products built for harsh climates with high performance and durability. Latest models, such as the CTC 700 Series, uses R-290 low-impact refrigerants which are PFAS-free and have a minimal Global Warming Potential. These systems combine heating, cooling, and domestic hot water in one smart, efficient unit. CTC’s innovations exemplify how Sweden and its neighbours are shaping a net-zero future. An approach which companies like Go Geothermal Ltd are now bringing to the forefront of the UK market.
Towards a Renewable-Powered Future
Considering renewables now overtaking coal in global electricity generation is more than symbolic, it’s proof that the energy transition is real and accelerating. The UK is already in the evolution of change, as the world works to meet climate goals, the way we heat our buildings, power our industries and fuel our transport is rapidly moving away from fossil fuels.
Go Geothermal Ltd, alongside premium heat pump brand CTC, play a key role in delivering high quality, efficient heating solutions to homes and commercial properties. In doing so, they amplify the impact of renewable energy, which the grid continues to grow greener, every watt used for heating delivers even greater climate benefits.
In conclusion, Scandinavia has perfected the evolution of heat pump technology, setting the standard for efficient, low-carbon heating in colder climates. However, its focus has remained largely on this area of renewable progress. The UK, by contrast, is driving forward not only in heat pump innovation but also across a wider spectrum of renewable solutions, embracing electric vehicles, solar, and wind power. Together, these advancements mark a defining moment in the global transition toward a cleaner, more sustainable future.
Written by Abbie McMorris
For more information on Renewables Overtake Coal: A Turning Point in the Energy Transition talk to Go Geothermal Ltd