Global installed renewable energy capacity has officially surpassed fossil fuel capacity for the first time in history, according to a new report from the International Renewable Energy Agency.

The milestone was reached as solar and wind installations accelerated across Asia, Europe, and North America, with total renewable capacity now standing at 4,200 gigawatts compared to 4,050 gigawatts for fossil fuels.

Solar energy accounted for the largest share of new capacity, followed by wind. Battery storage deployments also surged, addressing one of the key criticisms of intermittent renewable energy.

Energy experts said the milestone is significant but cautioned that fossil fuels still dominate actual electricity generation due to higher capacity factors. The transition from capacity to generation will take years of continued investment.