A major milestone was reached in 2024 when solar power overtook coal in the EU energy mix. According to Ember’s annual European Electricity Review, photovoltaics accounted for 11% of electricity output, while coal power dropped below 10%. The fastest-growing energy source was solar, whose output reached 304 TWh, up 22% (54 TWh) from 2023. A record 66 GW of capacity additions drove this rise, increasing the total solar capacity to 338 GW. The EU is still on course to attain the 400 GW total photovoltaic capacity objective set under the RePowerEU plan by 2025. If present growth rates continue, the 2030 target of 750 GW will be achievable.

With 71 TWh, 59.6 TWh, and 35.8 TWh, respectively, Germany, Spain, and Italy were the top solar energy producers. At 24.9% of its electrical mix, Hungary had the largest percentage of photovoltaics, followed by Greece (21.5%), Spain (21.2%), and Cyprus (20.4%).

Fossil Fuels Decline to Historic Lows Amid Renewables Growth

Power generation from fossil fuels dropped by 75 TWh (9%) annually to 793 TWh, the lowest level in more than 40 years. In 2024, just 29% of the energy mix in the EU came from fossil fuels. For the sixth year in a row, fossil gas power dropped to 16% of the mix, losing ground to wind power, which was constant at 17%.

With almost half of EU member states eliminating coal or lowering its participation to less than 5%, coal power’s share fell dramatically. With respective proportions of 39% and 34%, Germany and Poland jointly provided over three-quarters of the coal power in the EU. Czechia made up 9.9% of the total, while the nations of Southeastern Europe made up 8.3%.

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Challenges and Opportunities in the EU Power Sector Transition

Ember underlined that difficulties still exist despite advancements, especially in expanding wind power capacity. The research group emphasized that to fulfil 2030 ambitions. Yearly wind installations must be more than quadrupled from the 2024 levels.

The milestone where solar power overtook coal in the EU energy mix also highlights opportunities for sustainable growth. Ember identified huge intraday power price gaps in countries like Bulgaria, Romania, Hungary, and Greece, suggesting an urgent need for investment in sustainable flexibility solutions like batteries.

In 2024, renewable energy sources accounted for 47% of the energy mix in the EU, dominating power generation. Nuclear and other clean energy sources generated a record 71% of the power. While the EU’s electrical transformation has surpassed predictions over the past five years, Ember experts pointed out that to meet long-term climate targets, momentum must be maintained, and sector-specific issues must be addressed.

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