European Electricity Review 2025

In 2024, the EU's electricity transition saw solar power overtake coal for the first time, with renewables reaching a 47% share of the power sector. Gas generation declined for the fifth consecutive year, and combined with coal reductions, power sector emissions fell to below half of their 2007 peak. Since 2019, wind and solar growth has saved the EU €59 billion in fossil fuel imports, though the report notes that wind power deployment must more than double its recent rate to meet 2030 targets.

• In 2024, solar power became the fastest growing power source in the EU and surpassed coal in generation for the first time. Solar generation reached 304 TWh (11% share), while coal fell to 269 TWh (10% share). Consequently, coal's position as a power source dropped from third largest in 2019 to sixth largest in 2024.
• The share of renewables in the EU power sector increased from 34% in 2019 to 47% in 2024, while the share of fossil fuels decreased from 39% to 29%. Wind power is currently the EU's second largest power source, ranking below nuclear but above gas.
• Gas power generation has declined for five consecutive years, contributing to a 20% reduction in total EU gas consumption over the last five years, with the power sector accounting for approximately one-third of that decrease. Combined with coal declines, power sector emissions in 2024 fell to less than half of their 2007 peak.
• Since the start of the European Green Deal in 2019, the expansion of wind and solar has avoided €59 billion in fossil fuel imports. Without these additions, the EU would have required an additional 55 million tonnes of hard coal and 92 billion cubic metres of fossil gas.
• To meet 2030 targets, the EU must more than double the rate of wind power additions compared to recent years. Sustaining solar growth will require increased clean flexibility, storage, and smart electrification.

APA

Ember (2025). European Electricity Review 2025. https://ember-energy.org/latest-insights/european-electricity-review-2025

Chicago

Ember. European Electricity Review 2025. 2025. https://ember-energy.org/latest-insights/european-electricity-review-2025.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Ember |title=European Electricity Review 2025 |date=23 January 2025 |url=https://ember-energy.org/latest-insights/european-electricity-review-2025 |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{ember2025european, author = {{Ember}}, title = {{European Electricity Review 2025}}, institution = {Ember}, year = {2025}, month = jan, url = {https://ember-energy.org/latest-insights/european-electricity-review-2025}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }