Solar is EU’s biggest power source for the first time ever

In June 2025, solar power became the largest source of electricity in the EU, generating 22.1% of the total supply. This milestone coincided with record-high wind generation for May and June and a record low for coal's share of electricity. However, the first half of 2025 saw an overall increase in fossil fuel generation, driven by higher gas use and lower hydropower output due to drought.

• Solar power became the primary source of electricity in the EU in June 2025, accounting for 22.1% (45.4 TWh) of generation, which represents a 22% increase compared to June 2024. Nuclear followed at 21.8% (44.7 TWh) and wind at 15.8% (32.4 TWh).
• At least thirteen EU countries achieved their highest ever monthly solar generation in June 2025, attributed to continued installations and hot, sunny weather that helped meet demand during heatwaves.
• EU wind power reached record generation levels for the months of May and June 2025, producing 16.6% (33.7 TWh) and 15.8% (32.4 TWh) of electricity respectively, supported by new capacity including several large offshore wind farms.
• Coal generation reached a record low in the EU in June 2025 at 6.1% (12.6 TWh), down from 8.8% in June 2024. Significant record lows were noted in Germany (12.4%) and Poland (42.9%), as well as in Czechia, Bulgaria, Denmark, and Spain.
• Despite June's lows, fossil fuel generation in the first half of 2025 rose by 13% (+45.7 TWh) compared to the first half of 2024, primarily due to a 19% increase in gas generation (+35.5 TWh) and a 15% decrease in the cumulative share of hydropower (falling to 12.5%) caused by drought.

APA

Rosslowe, C., Fulghum, N., & Orso, L. (2025). Solar is EU’s biggest power source for the first time ever. Ember. https://ember-energy.org/app/uploads/2025/07/Analysis-Solar-is-EUs-biggest-power-source-for-the-first-time-ever.pdf

Chicago

Rosslowe, Chris, Nic Fulghum, and Lauren Orso. Solar is EU’s biggest power source for the first time ever. Ember, 2025. https://ember-energy.org/app/uploads/2025/07/Analysis-Solar-is-EUs-biggest-power-source-for-the-first-time-ever.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Rosslowe |first1=Chris |last2=Fulghum |first2=Nic |last3=Orso |first3=Lauren |title=Solar is EU’s biggest power source for the first time ever |publisher=Ember |date=10 July 2025 |url=https://ember-energy.org/app/uploads/2025/07/Analysis-Solar-is-EUs-biggest-power-source-for-the-first-time-ever.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{rosslowe2025solar, author = {Rosslowe, Chris and Fulghum, Nic and Orso, Lauren}, title = {{Solar is EU’s biggest power source for the first time ever}}, institution = {Ember}, year = {2025}, month = jul, url = {https://ember-energy.org/app/uploads/2025/07/Analysis-Solar-is-EUs-biggest-power-source-for-the-first-time-ever.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }