Data shows that solar and wind energy are protecting the world from the worst impacts of the Iran war.

Recent data highlights that solar and wind energy have played a crucial role in mitigating the global energy crisis triggered by the Iran conflict. As disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz impacted traditional energy sources, renewables surged, significantly reducing the reliance on coal and gas, and stabilizing global power supply.

Recent analyses demonstrate that solar and wind energy have significantly mitigated the global energy crisis triggered by the conflict involving the US and Israel with Iran. Disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz curtailed traditional gas-fired power, yet the rapid deployment of clean energy sources created a stabilizing effect, preventing a severe downturn.

Global reliance on coal has weakened. Coal-fired power outside China decreased by approximately 3%, while the efficiency of coal and gas plants fell by 4%. Nevertheless, only 5% of global energy production continued to depend on coal and gas, highlighting the reduced dominance of fossil fuels. Meanwhile, solar power output grew by 15%, and wind energy generation rose by 7%, reflecting a decisive shift toward renewables.

Importantly, no coal-fired plants were reactivated or had their planned closures delayed during this period. The growing renewable energy capacity, particularly in solar and wind, compensated for the gas shortages caused by the Hormuz blockade. The global demand for coal has declined, as demonstrated by a 7% drop in March imports, reaching a five-year low. Shipping data from Kpler revealed a 42% year-over-year increase, totaling 8 million tonnes, indicating a gradual move away from fossil fuel dependency.

Despite some temporary measures in certain countries, the overall impact of coal remained limited. India increased output at existing coal plants, and South Korea raised operating limits for coal-fired power. Japan temporarily allowed older coal plants to operate at peak capacity for a year. However, these measures contributed minimally to global energy production, as coal plants already operate at high capacity under normal conditions.

The rise in coal generation in Japan and South Korea was primarily a response to reduced output from nuclear plants, rather than the Hormuz crisis. Conversely, several countries, including the UK, India, South Africa, Germany, the Netherlands, and Turkey, met rising electricity demands predominantly through renewables while reducing coal and gas-fired generation. This indicates a clear departure from the historical reliance on coal during energy shortages.

Comparisons with the 2022 Russia-Ukraine war underscore the changing energy landscape. After Russia's invasion of Ukraine, coal shipments surged by 9% in the first two weeks. In contrast, the Hormuz blockade caused only a 2.5% initial decrease, with coal trade volumes remaining largely stable. This shift demonstrates the growing role of solar, wind, and hydro power in buffering global energy disruptions.

From 2022 to 2025, global renewable energy capacity increased by over 2,000 gigawatts. By 2025, solar and wind energy are projected to produce nearly 1,100 terawatt-hours annually, surpassing the constrained supply of liquefied natural gas affected by the Strait of Hormuz. This growth in renewables prevented a resurgence of coal and maintained grid stability during periods of geopolitical stress.

While some nations, such as China, Malaysia, and the Philippines, experienced minor increases in coal imports due to LNG shortages, the effect remained limited. Rising fuel prices continue to pose challenges, but structural trends in the energy sector suggest a diminishing role for new fossil fuel investments. Development timelines and global oversupply make additional coal capacity unnecessary.

Experts emphasize that as the current crisis stabilizes, accelerated deployment of clean energy will better prepare the world for future disruptions in fossil fuel supply. The ongoing transition to solar and wind power remains essential for mitigating long-term impacts on the global energy landscape.

Sources:

• Solar and Wind Energy Protecting the World from the Worst Impacts of the Iran War
• How Renewables are Mitigating the Iran Conflict's Energy Crisis
• The Energy Shift: How Solar and Wind Are Shaping Global Energy Amid the Iran Crisis
• Solar and wind energy are shielding world from worst impacts of Iran war, data shows