Renewables Generated 47% of EU Power in 2024

Solar generated 11% of EU electricity in 2024, overtaking coal which fell below 10% for the first time, according to the European Electricity Review published by global energy think tank Ember said on Thursday.  EU gas generation has declined for the fifth year in a row and total fossil generation fell to a historic low.

The European Electricity Review provides the first comprehensive overview of the EU power system in 2024. It analyses full-year electricity generation and demand data for 2024 in all EU-27 countries to understand the region’s progress in transitioning from fossil fuels to clean electricity.

Dr Chris Rosslowe, senior analyst at Ember and lead author of the report said that fossil fuels were losing their grip on EU energy.

“At the start of the European Green Deal in 2019, few thought the EU’s energy transition could be where it is today; wind and solar are pushing coal to the margins and forcing gas into structural decline,” Dr Rosslowe said.

The EU power sector is undergoing a deep transformation, spurred on by the European Green Deal and wind (17%) generated more electricity than gas (16%) for the second year in a row, Ember noted.

“Strong solar growth, combined with a recovery of hydropower, pushed the share of renewables to nearly half of EU power generation (47%). Fossil fuels generated 29% of the EU’s electricity in 2024. In 2019, before the Green Deal, fossil fuels provided 39% of EU electricity while renewables provided 34%, the report said.

Reaping Benefits

The surge in wind and solar generation has reduced the EU’s reliance on imported fossil fuels and its exposure to volatile prices since the energy crisis.

Ember’s analysis found that without new wind and solar capacity added over the last five years, the EU would have imported an additional 92 billion cubic metres of fossil gas and 55 million tonnes of coal, costing $61.69 billion.

These trends are widespread as solar is growing in every EU country and more than half now have either no coal power or a share below 5% in their power mix.

Coal has fallen from being the EU’s third largest power source in 2019 to the sixth largest in 2024, bringing the end into sight for the dirtiest fossil fuel. EU gas generation also declined for the fifth year in a row (-6%), despite a very small rebound in power demand (+1%), the report said.

Beatrice Petrovich, Senior Energy and Climate Analyst at Ember, said that while the EU’s electricity transition has moved faster than anyone expected in the last five years, further progress cannot be taken for granted.

He said that delivery needs to be accelerated particularly in the wind sector, which has faced unique challenges and a widening delivery gap. Between now and 2030, annual wind additions need to more than double compared to 2024 levels.

“However, the achievements of the past five years should instil confidence that, with continued drive and commitment, challenges can be overcome and a more secure energy future be achieved,” he added.