energy
Report: Almost half of the EU’s electricity comes from renewables
With the Green Deal in the energy sector, the EU has set itself ambitious goals for climate protection. Are these accessible? An analysis shows that solar power, for example, is being used more and more.
According to an analysis, the share of fossil fuels in the electricity mix in the European Union was lower last year than ever before. The share of electricity generated by coal fell to less than 10 percent, according to a report by the think tank Ember. Electricity generation from gas fell for the fifth year in a row and still accounted for almost 16 percent in 2024. Together with other fossil fuels such as oil or waste, fossil fuels accounted for around 29 percent of electricity generation in the EU.
According to the analysis, more and more electricity in the EU is coming from renewable energies – in 2024, almost half at 47.5 percent. Last year, a good 11 percent of electricity was generated from solar energy, and a good 17 percent came from wind power. Hydropower and energy generated from biomass also contribute. Compared to 2023, a large increase (plus 21.7 percent) can be seen, especially in solar energy. Electricity generation from solar power is increasing in all EU countries, Ember said. Nuclear power accounted for almost 24 percent of the electricity mix in 2024.
“Fossil fuels are losing influence”
“Fossil fuels are losing their impact on the EU’s energy supply,” said Ember’s Chris Rosslowe. “When the European Green Deal was launched in 2019, few would have thought that the energy transition in the EU could have progressed so far.” For the report, the authors analyzed data on electricity production and demand in all 27 EU countries.
The Green Deal is a package of measures and laws from the last legislative period in the EU that, among other things, is intended to ensure a drastic reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. It includes new requirements in areas such as energy, transport, industry and agriculture.
dpa
Source: Stern
