Renewable energy sources provide the European Union with more energy than fossil fuels

In the first half of 2024, wind and solar installations in the EU generated more electricity than coal and gas plants. According to an analysis by the think tank Ember, wind and solar power accounted for 30% of the EU’s electricity, surpassing the 27% provided by fossil fuels.

In the first half of 2024, solar power production in Europe increased by 20% (+23 TWh), and wind power generation rose by 9.5% (+21 TWh), leading to a combined increase of 13% (+45 TWh) in wind and solar power. Consequently, their share of EU electricity production grew from 27% in the first half of 2023 to a record 30% in 2024.

Electricity demand also rose by 0.7%, reversing the downward trend of the past two years. Wind and solar power growth, coupled with favorable conditions, met this increased demand and replaced energy production from fossil fuels. Coal and gas production declined by 17%, amounting to 71 TWh less high-emission energy. Specifically, energy production from hard coal fell by 24%, and from gas by 14%. This decline was especially pronounced in Member States traditionally reliant on these fuels. For example, in Poland, the share of coal in the energy mix dropped to a historic low of 57% in May 2024, compared to 80% five years ago.

Nuclear and hydropower also a plus

In the EU, nuclear energy production increased by 3.1% (+9 TWh), largely due to France’s contribution, where energy production rose by 19 TWh following repairs and the end of outages at many nuclear units. This growth would have been even higher if not for the closure of the last German nuclear power plants in spring 2023, which reduced production by 7 TWh.

After two challenging years for hydropower, marked by prolonged droughts, production increased by 21% (+33 TWh). Combined with power from wind and solar energy, hydropower, wind, and solar sources provided the EU with over 50% of its green energy, surpassing last year’s record of 44%.

Source: ember-climate.org