B1 News General · May 22, 2026

Solar and wind generated more electricity globally than gas power for the first time in April

Wind and solar beat gas in global electricity generation for the first time ever in April 2026.

Reading level

Switch if this feels too hard or too easy.

Listen to this article

For the first time in history, wind and solar power generated more electricity than gas on a global scale. According to energy think tank Ember, renewable sources produced 531 TWh in April 2026, while gas-fired plants managed just 477 TWh — a gap that would have seemed unthinkable just a few years ago.

The contrast with April 2021 is striking. Back then, gas output was nearly double the combined total from wind and solar. In just five years, renewables have closed that gap entirely and pushed ahead. Analysts credit sustained investment and rapid capacity expansion for making this milestone possible.

The timing is significant. April 2026 was the first full month of a new energy crisis triggered by conflict in the Middle East — exactly the kind of moment that has historically driven countries toward fossil fuels. Instead, the crisis seems to be accelerating the shift away from imported gas, particularly for countries dependent on expensive LNG shipments.

Experts are careful to note that April is the most favourable month for renewables in the Northern Hemisphere, with strong winds, rising solar output, and relatively low demand between heating and cooling seasons. Wind and solar have not yet surpassed gas on an annual basis. But the direction of travel is clear, and for many governments, the economic and security arguments for domestic renewable energy have never been stronger.

Read original ↗ Print / PDF

Get more from every article

Highlight any word or phrase for an explanation or translation, save vocabulary, and bookmark articles.

Sign up free Log in

📚 Key vocabulary

milestone
An important achievement or turning point that marks significant progress
"Reaching one million customers was a major milestone for the startup."
surpass
To go beyond or do better than something else
"Electric vehicle sales are expected to surpass petrol car sales within the decade."
deployment
The process of putting something into active use, especially technology or equipment
"The government announced plans to speed up the deployment of EV charging stations."
volatile
Likely to change suddenly and unpredictably, often used to describe markets or prices
"Investors are cautious because commodity prices have been extremely volatile this quarter."
uncompetitive
Not able to match rivals on price, quality, or value
"High production costs have made the local manufacturer increasingly uncompetitive in global markets."
accelerate
To make something happen faster or increase in speed
"The new subsidies are designed to accelerate the adoption of clean energy technology."
import-dependent
Relying heavily on buying goods or resources from other countries
"Import-dependent economies are especially vulnerable to disruptions in global supply chains."
power mix
The combination of different energy sources used to generate a country or region's electricity
"The country is working to change its power mix by reducing its share of coal-fired generation."
capacity
The maximum amount of electricity a power source or system is able to produce
"The company announced plans to double its solar capacity by 2030."

✨ Useful phrases for this topic

"the direction of travel is clear"
Use this when a trend is still developing but the overall movement is obvious, even if the final outcome is not yet confirmed.
"We haven't hit our sustainability targets yet, but the direction of travel is clear — renewables will dominate our energy mix within five years."
"accelerate deployment"
Use this in business or policy discussions when talking about rolling out a technology or strategy more quickly.
"The board approved additional funding to accelerate deployment of solar panels across all our facilities."
"weaken the case for"
Use this when new evidence or developments make a previously strong argument less persuasive.
"The latest cost data weakens the case for investing in new gas infrastructure."
"reshape the market"
Use this when a development is fundamentally changing how an industry or sector operates.
"The rise of remote work has begun to reshape the commercial real estate market in major cities."
"energy security"
Use this when discussing a country's or company's ability to access reliable and affordable energy without depending on unstable foreign sources.
"The government cited energy security as the main reason for investing in domestic wind and solar projects."

Advanced sentence structures

Patterns from this article you can use in meetings, emails, and everyday English

Structure 1

In context

For many import-dependent countries, LNG-based electricity is becoming increasingly uncompetitive compared with wind and solar, which are seen as affordable, domestic, and secure sources of power.

The skeleton

Frame: [Thing] is becoming increasingly [adjective] compared with [alternative].

What it does: Shows a trend of change by measuring one option against another.

Quick swap: "Ride-hailing is becoming increasingly unaffordable compared with public transport."

More examples

  • "Traditional university degrees are becoming increasingly inaccessible compared with online professional certifications."
  • "Cash payments are becoming increasingly inconvenient compared with contactless card transactions."
  • "Open-plan offices are becoming increasingly unpopular compared with flexible remote working arrangements."

Easy exercise

Arrange the words and add the missing structural elements to build a correct sentence.

  1. gas-fired power · compared with renewables · is becoming · increasingly uncompetitive · for energy-importing nations
  2. high-street retail · compared with e-commerce · is becoming · increasingly costly · for small business owners
Show answers
  • "For energy-importing nations, gas-fired power is becoming increasingly uncompetitive compared with renewables."
  • "For small business owners, high-street retail is becoming increasingly costly compared with e-commerce."

Open exercise

Write your own sentence using this structure. You can write about anything — here are some ideas if you need them:

  • Energy sources in your country
  • A tool or technology changing in your workplace
  • A form of transport or communication in everyday life

One possible answer: "Printed textbooks are becoming increasingly impractical compared with digital learning platforms."

Structure 2

In context

April was the most likely month for this milestone, as spring conditions in the Northern Hemisphere typically combine strong wind generation with rising solar output, while electricity demand is relatively low between heating and cooling seasons.

The skeleton

Frame: [Context] typically combine[s] [factor A] with [factor B], while [contrasting condition].

What it does: Links two reinforcing factors to a context, then adds a contrasting condition that strengthens the point.

Quick swap: "Weekend shifts typically combine reduced supervision with higher customer footfall, while staffing levels are relatively thin."

More examples

  • "Summer internship programmes typically combine hands-on project work with structured mentoring, while the pressure of peak business season is relatively manageable."
  • "Morning exercise routines typically combine higher energy levels with fewer distractions, while most professional obligations are still hours away."
  • "End-of-year performance reviews typically combine backward-looking assessment with forward-looking goal setting, while day-to-day operational pressure is temporarily reduced."

Easy exercise

Arrange the words and add the missing structural elements to build a correct sentence.

  1. harvest months · high solar irradiance · typically combine · with low cloud cover · while energy storage systems · are fully charged
  2. new employee onboarding · formal training sessions · typically combines · with informal team introductions · while workload expectations · are relatively light
Show answers
  • "Harvest months typically combine high solar irradiance with low cloud cover, while energy storage systems are fully charged."
  • "New employee onboarding typically combines formal training sessions with informal team introductions, while workload expectations are relatively light."

Open exercise

Write your own sentence using this structure. You can write about anything — here are some ideas if you need them:

  • A season or time of year that affects energy, travel, or nature
  • A phase in a work project or business cycle
  • A time of day or week that shapes how you study or work

One possible answer: "Conference season typically combines intensive networking opportunities with a heavy schedule of presentations, while normal office routines are largely suspended."

💬 Discussion questions

1

Does this news surprise you, or did you expect renewables to reach this point? What do you think was the most important factor in making it happen?

2

Some people argue that renewables are unreliable because they depend on weather conditions. How convincing do you find that argument in light of this data?

3

How is the shift toward renewable energy affecting your industry or your country's economy? Are there opportunities — or risks — that your company should be thinking about?

What to Read Next

More lessons in General

B2 General

Scammers are becoming ever more sophisticated - this is what the fightback looks like

Scams have exploded over the last few years. Can countries and companies come together to turn the tables on the scammers?
B2 Leadership & Management

Being 'Always Available' Can Damage Productivity

Always being available feels professional, but it quietly destroys focus, health, and real productivity.
B2 Leadership & Management

Are You Having Too Many One-on-Ones ?

One-on-one meetings help managers but can fragment organizations when overused at the executive level.