Renewable Energy Surpasses Fossil Fuels in EU for the First Time

In the first half of 2024, wind and solar energy generated more electricity than fossil fuels across the European Union for the first time, marking a significant shift in the region's energy landscape, according to a new analysis by the think tank Ember.

Wind and solar power accounted for 30% of the European Union’s electricity generation in the first six months of 2024, surpassing the 27% generated from fossil fuels. This represents a 17% decline in fossil fuel use compared to the same period last year, despite a 0.7% increase in electricity demand as the region recovered from the impacts of COVID-19 and the gas price crisis.

Coal-fired power plants saw a particularly sharp drop, with generation falling by 24%, while gas-fired plants reduced output by 14%. The report from Ember attributes this decline primarily to the growth of renewables, especially wind and solar, which have increasingly replaced fossil fuel-based power. “With wind and solar on the rise, the role of fossil fuel power is narrowing. We are witnessing a historic shift in the power sector, and it is happening rapidly,” said Chris Rosslowe, Analyst, Ember. 

In addition to the expansion of wind and solar, mild weather conditions and strong hydroelectric performance also contributed to the reduced reliance on fossil fuels. The trend reflects a broader shift following record-breaking capacity additions for wind and solar in 2023, driven in part by accelerated policies in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. These policies aimed to reduce the EU's dependence on gas imports and bolster renewable energy sources.

Ember’s analysis shows that 13 EU Member States now generate more electricity from wind and solar than from fossil fuels. Germany, Belgium, Hungary, and the Netherlands achieved this milestone for the first time in 2024.

Notable achievements were also recorded in individual countries. In May, over 50% of Spain’s electricity generation came from wind and solar, marking a first for the country. Similarly, Poland reached a milestone with one-third of its electricity being generated from these renewable sources in the same month. Hungary set consecutive monthly records for solar generation in April, May, and June of this year. “If Member States can keep momentum up on wind and solar deployment, then freedom from fossil power reliance will truly start to come into view,” added Dr. Rosslowe.