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 European Union's electricity, surpassing fossil fuels (27%) for the first time. This shift occurred despite a 0.7% rebound in electricity demand, driven by structural capacity growth and favorable weather conditions, leading to a 17% decline in fossil fuel generation and a 31% drop in power sector emissions compared to the first half of 2022.

• For the first time, wind and solar electricity generation exceeded that of fossil fuels in the EU during the first six months of 2024. Wind and solar accounted for 30% (386 TWh) of generation, while fossil fuels fell to 27% (343 TWh).
• Fossil fuel generation in the EU decreased by 17% (-71 TWh) in the first half of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023. This decline was led by coal, which fell by 24% (-39 TWh), and gas, which decreased by 14% (-29 TWh).
• The transition to renewables occurred despite a 0.7% (+9 TWh) increase in EU electricity demand in the first half of 2024, reversing a two-year decline. Without the impact of a warmer-than-average winter, demand growth is estimated to have been 2.1%.
• Renewables overall generated 50% of the EU's electricity in the first half of 2024, surpassing the previous record of 44%. This was driven by a 20% increase in solar generation (+23 TWh), a 9.5% increase in wind (+21 TWh), and a 21% rebound in hydro (+33 TWh).
• EU power sector emissions fell by 17% in the first half of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023. Consequently, emissions are 31% lower than in the first half of 2022 and 44% lower than in the first half of 2017.
• Wind and solar now surpass fossil fuels in 13 EU Member States, representing 70% of the EU's total electricity demand. In 2024, Germany, Belgium, Hungary, and the Netherlands reached this milestone for the first time over a January-June period.
• The EU faces a gap between its 2030 targets and current national ambitions. While the REPowerEU plan targets 750 GWdc of solar capacity, Member State plans aim for only 650 GWdc. For wind, the EU is forecast to fall 30 GW short of the minimum 425 GW required for its 2030 target.

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} }