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Solar energy in the European Union has achieved historic success, overtaking coal for the first time in terms of share of electricity generation, while the share of fossil fuels has decreased to its lowest level in history.
In 2024, solar generation provided 11% of the EU's electricity, surpassing coal (10%). Wind remained the most powerful renewable source with a share of 17%, overtaking gas (16%) for the second year in a row. The total share of renewables reached almost half of all electricity production (47%), demonstrating the profound transformation of the energy sector under the influence of the European Green Deal.
Evidence suggests that reducing dependence on fossil fuels has not only environmental but also economic benefits. According to the think tank Ember, additional wind and solar capacity installed over the past five years has allowed the EU to avoid importing 92 billion cubic meters of gas and 55 million tons of coal, saving €59 billion.
While progress in solar energy is visible across the EU, coal is rapidly losing ground. It has fallen from third place in 2019 to sixth in 2024, and in many countries its share has fallen below 5%. Gas production is declining for the fifth year in a row, even as electricity demand recovers.
However, achieving more ambitious climate goals requires further acceleration of wind energy development and the introduction of flexible technologies such as energy storage and smart electrification. As Walburga Hemetsberger, CEO of SolarPower Europe, points out,
Recent achievements demonstrate that, through a systemic approach, innovation and sustainable initiatives, the EU can become a global leader in the clean energy transition, reducing dependence on fossil fuels and enhancing energy security.
Renewables provide 47% of EU electricity appeared first on Curiosity.
