Significant Renewable Energy News in the United States for 2025

Below are some of the most significant developments in renewable energy in the United States for 2025, based on available information:

1. Wind and Solar Outproduce Coal and Nuclear in Q1 2025

In the first quarter of 2025, wind and solar energy surpassed both coal and nuclear power in electricity generation. Combined, they produced 6.8% more electricity than coal and 6% more than nuclear power plants, with renewables (including wind, solar, hydropower, biomass, and geothermal) accounting for 26.1% of total U.S. electricity production. In March alone, wind and solar outproduced coal by 66.5% and nuclear by 31%. This milestone highlights the rapid growth of renewables despite policy shifts favoring fossil fuels.

2. EPA Proposes Increased Biofuel Blending Mandates

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency proposed raising biofuel blending volumes to 24.02 billion gallons in 2026 and 24.46 billion gallons in 2027, up from 22.33 billion gallons in 2025. This increase, driven by a surge in biomass-based diesel mandates, reflects continued support for renewable fuels under the Renewable Fuel Standard, despite a policy environment leaning toward fossil fuels. The proposal led to a rise in renewable fuel credits, with D6 credits trading at $1.06 in 2025, up from 88 cents.

3. Renewable Energy Faces Policy Challenges

The Trump administration and Republican-led Congress pursued policies prioritizing fossil fuels, including proposals to cut unspent funds from the Inflation Reduction Act’s climate and clean energy programs. A House bill aims to terminate residential solar tax credits by the end of 2025, threatening the rooftop solar industry, which employs around 300,000 workers. Experts warn that slashing renewable energy subsidies could increase long-term energy costs and derail clean power projects.

4. Solar and Wind Dominate New Capacity Additions

Nearly 98% of new electricity-generating capacity added in the U.S. in Q1 2025 came from solar and wind, according to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) forecasts 32.5 GW of new utility-scale solar capacity and 7.7 GW of wind capacity to be added in 2025, alongside 18.2 GW of battery storage. This follows a trend where renewables accounted for over 90% of new capacity in 2024.

5. Battery Storage Growth Accelerates

Battery storage capacity saw significant growth, with projections for 18.2 GW of new utility-scale storage in 2025, following a 65% increase in 2024 (10.9 GW added). Batteries are increasingly vital for addressing the intermittency of solar and wind, with global investment in storage expected to reach $66 billion in 2025. This growth supports the integration of renewables into the grid, particularly as energy demand rises due to data centers and AI.

6. NextEra CEO Advocates Renewables as a Bridge

John Ketchum, CEO of NextEra Energy, emphasized the role of renewables like wind and solar in meeting growing U.S. energy demand, particularly as natural gas capacity faces near-term expansion challenges. Ketchum noted that renewables are critical to avoiding power shortages until gas infrastructure can scale up by 2032, highlighting their cost-competitiveness despite policy headwinds.

7. Public Support for Renewables Declines Slightly

A Pew Research Center survey from April-May 2025 found that 60% of Americans support prioritizing renewable energy sources like wind and solar, down from 79% in 2020. This decline, driven largely by reduced Republican support, reflects shifting public sentiment amid policy changes favoring fossil fuels. However, renewables remain the majority preference for future energy development.

8. Texas Balances Renewables and Fossil Fuels

Texas, a leader in both oil and gas and renewable energy, saw a third of all new U.S. renewable and storage projects in 2025. Despite state legislation targeting wind and solar, rural areas benefit financially from renewable projects, which help meet growing energy demand from data centers. This duality underscores Texas’s complex role as both a fossil fuel and clean energy powerhouse.

9. Nuclear Energy Renaissance Gains Traction

While not strictly renewable, nuclear energy saw renewed interest as a low-carbon option, with companies like Oklo, TerraPower, and X-Energy advancing small modular reactors. Nuclear power, which accounted for 19% of U.S. electricity in 2023, is viewed as a reliable complement to renewables, though high upfront costs and long timelines remain challenges.

Conclusion

In 2025, renewable energy in the U.S. achieved significant milestones, with wind and solar outpacing coal and nuclear in electricity generation and dominating new capacity additions. However, policy shifts, including proposed cuts to clean energy incentives and a focus on fossil fuels, pose challenges to sustained growth. Battery storage and biofuels continue to play critical roles in supporting the renewable energy transition, while public and industry leaders advocate for renewables to meet rising energy demands.