Renewables beat fossil fuels: A half-yearly analysis of Europe’s electricity transition

In the first half of 2020, renewable electricity generation exceeded fossil fuel generation for the first time in the EU-27, driven by new installations, favorable weather, and a COVID-19-related drop in electricity demand.

• For the first time, renewable electricity generation surpassed fossil fuel generation in the EU-27 during the first half of 2020. Renewables—comprising wind, solar, hydro, and bioenergy—accounted for 40% of electricity generation, while fossil fuels accounted for 34%.
• Wind and solar power reached a record 21% of Europe's total electricity generation in the first half of 2020, increasing from a 13% market share in 2016. Penetration rates were particularly high in Denmark (64%), Ireland (49%), and Germany (42%).
• Fossil fuel generation fell by 18% in the first half of 2020, with coal experiencing the most significant decline at 32% across the EU-27. This decline was caused by rising renewable output and a 7% decrease in electricity demand due to COVID-19 and mild weather in January and February. Consequently, CO2 emissions in the EU power sector dropped by approximately 23%, or 76 million tonnes.
• Poland has become the most coal-dependent country in the EU, now generating more coal-fired electricity than Germany and as much as the other 25 EU countries combined. This reliance has contributed to higher consumer costs, with wholesale electricity in Poland being 73% more expensive than in Germany during the first half of the year.
• While electricity grids remained stable despite record renewable shares, an increase in negative wholesale electricity prices indicates system inflexibilities. Negative prices occurred 5% of the time in Ireland, and were seen for the first time in the UK, Netherlands, Finland, and Hungary.

APA

Lytton, W. (2020). Renewables beat fossil fuels: A half-yearly analysis of Europe’s electricity transition. Ember. https://ember-energy.org/latest-insights/eu-electricity-analysis-h1-2020

Chicago

Lytton, Wilf. Renewables beat fossil fuels: A half-yearly analysis of Europe’s electricity transition. Ember, 2020. https://ember-energy.org/latest-insights/eu-electricity-analysis-h1-2020.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Lytton |first1=Wilf |title=Renewables beat fossil fuels: A half-yearly analysis of Europe’s electricity transition |publisher=Ember |date=22 July 2020 |url=https://ember-energy.org/latest-insights/eu-electricity-analysis-h1-2020 |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{lytton2020renewables, author = {Lytton, Wilf}, title = {{Renewables beat fossil fuels: A half-yearly analysis of Europe’s electricity transition}}, institution = {Ember}, year = {2020}, month = jul, url = {https://ember-energy.org/latest-insights/eu-electricity-analysis-h1-2020}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }