Electricity Source Trends

This report by Ember provides a detailed analysis of electricity generation sources within the European Union for 2022, comparing these figures against trends from 2000 and 2015. It details the growth of solar and wind power, the temporary rise in coal, the stability of gas, and the significant declines in nuclear and hydro generation during 2022.

• Solar electricity generation in the EU grew by 24% in 2022, increasing from 164 TWh in 2021 to 203 TWh, which represents 7.3% of the electricity mix. This growth was primarily driven by increases in Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, France, and Poland, while generation fell in Austria and Slovenia.
• Wind power produced 15% (420 TWh) of EU electricity in 2022, an 8.6% increase from 387 TWh in 2021. Denmark had the highest percentage share of its mix at 55%, while Germany was the largest generator by volume at 126 TWh. Over the last two decades, wind generation increased by 398 TWh.
• Nuclear generation experienced its largest ever year-on-year decline in 2022, falling by 16% (119 TWh) to a total of 613 TWh, reducing its share of the EU mix to 21.9%. This was caused by plant closures in Germany and a 22% reduction (82 TWh) in French generation due to heatwaves and planned maintenance.
• Hydro power generation fell by 19% (66 TWh) in 2022 to 283 TWh, the lowest level since at least 2000, due to a drought-stricken summer. The most significant reductions occurred in Spain (37%), Italy (34%), and France (23%).
• Coal generation rose by 6.7% (28 TWh) in 2022 to 447 TWh, reaching a 16% share of the EU mix, largely to compensate for losses in nuclear and hydro power. Despite this temporary rise, coal generation in 2022 remained 37% below 2015 levels.
• Gas power accounted for 20% (557 TWh) of EU electricity production in 2022, seeing a slight increase of 0.8%. It is the only fossil fuel to have grown over the last two decades, increasing its share in the mix from 13% in 2000 to 20% in 2022.
• Bioenergy produced 167 TWh (6% of the EU mix) in 2022, marking a 1.6% decline. This was the first decrease in EU bioenergy electricity generation since 1996.

APA

Ember (2023). Electricity Source Trends. https://ember-energy.org/chapter/electricity-source-trends-eer23/

Chicago

Ember. Electricity Source Trends. 2023. https://ember-energy.org/chapter/electricity-source-trends-eer23/.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Ember |title=Electricity Source Trends |date=31 January 2023 |url=https://ember-energy.org/chapter/electricity-source-trends-eer23/ |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{ember2023electricity, author = {{Ember}}, title = {{Electricity Source Trends}}, institution = {Ember}, year = {2023}, month = jan, url = {https://ember-energy.org/chapter/electricity-source-trends-eer23/}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }