Wind and solar overtake EU fossil fuels in the first half of 2024

In the first half of 2024, wind and solar power generated 30% of the EU's electricity, surpassing fossil fuels (27%) for the first time. This transition occurred despite a 0.7% increase in electricity demand. Fossil fuel generation fell by 17%, with coal dropping by 24% and gas by 14%. Renewables overall provided 50% of the EU's electricity, aided by a 21% rebound in hydro generation. Power sector emissions decreased by 17% compared to the same period in 2023, and are 31% lower than in the first half of 2022. While capacity additions are high, the report notes a gap between national ambitions and the EU's 2030 targets under the REPowerEU plan, particularly for wind energy.

• For the first time, wind and solar power surpassed fossil fuels in EU electricity generation during the first six months of 2024, accounting for 30% (386 TWh) of the mix compared to 27% (343 TWh) from fossil fuels.
• Fossil fuel generation in the EU declined by 17% (-71 TWh) in the first half of 2024 relative to the same period in 2023, with coal generation falling by 24% (-39 TWh) and gas generation falling by 14% (-29 TWh).
• Renewables provided 50% of the EU's electricity in the first half of 2024, a record high surpassing the previous 44%. This was driven by a 20% increase in solar generation (+23 TWh), a 9.5% increase in wind generation (+21 TWh), and a 21% rebound in hydro generation (+33 TWh).
• EU power sector emissions fell by 17% in the first half of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023, resulting in emissions that are 31% lower than those recorded in the first half of 2022.
• The shift toward wind and solar is widespread across the bloc; wind and solar surpassed fossil fuels in 13 Member States, including Germany, Belgium, Hungary, and the Netherlands, which hit this milestone for the first time in 2024.
• Despite the transition, there is a gap between national plans and EU targets; Member State plans aim for 650 GWdc of solar capacity by 2030, falling short of the 750 GWdc REPowerEU target. Wind capacity is also forecast to fall 30 GW short of the minimum 425 GW required for 2030.

APA

Ember (2024). Wind and solar overtake EU fossil fuels in the first half of 2024. https://ember-energy.org/latest-insights/eu-wind-and-solar-overtake-fossil-fuels

Chicago

Ember. Wind and solar overtake EU fossil fuels in the first half of 2024. 2024. https://ember-energy.org/latest-insights/eu-wind-and-solar-overtake-fossil-fuels.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Ember |title=Wind and solar overtake EU fossil fuels in the first half of 2024 |date=30 July 2024 |url=https://ember-energy.org/latest-insights/eu-wind-and-solar-overtake-fossil-fuels |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{ember2024wind, author = {{Ember}}, title = {{Wind and solar overtake EU fossil fuels in the first half of 2024}}, institution = {Ember}, year = {2024}, month = jul, url = {https://ember-energy.org/latest-insights/eu-wind-and-solar-overtake-fossil-fuels}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }