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 European Union for the first time, generating 22.1% of the total power mix. This milestone coincided with record wind generation for May and June and a record low for coal's share of electricity generation.

• Solar power became the primary source of electricity in the EU for the first time in June 2025, accounting for 22.1% (45.4 TWh) of generation. This represents a 22% increase compared to June 2024. Nuclear followed closely at 21.8% (44.7 TWh), and wind provided 15.8% (32.4 TWh).
• At least thirteen EU countries achieved their highest ever monthly solar generation in June 2025, driven by continued installations and hot, sunny weather. This increased capacity helped the EU manage higher electricity demand caused by heatwaves at the end of the month.
• 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. This growth is attributed to improved wind conditions and the commissioning of several large offshore wind farms since June 2024.
• Coal generation fell to a record low of 6.1% (12.6 TWh) of EU electricity in June 2025, down from 8.8% in June 2024. Significant declines were seen in Germany (12.4%) and Poland (42.9%), which together represent 79% of EU coal power. Other countries recording record lows in June included Czechia (17.9%), Bulgaria (16.7%), Denmark (3.3%), and Spain (0.6%).
• Despite the June lows, total fossil fuel generation in the first half of 2025 was 13% higher (+45.7 TWh) than in the first half of 2024, primarily due to a 19% increase in gas generation (+35.5 TWh). This was partly caused by a drought that reduced the cumulative share of hydropower to 12.5% (164 TWh), a 15% decrease year-on-year. Overall EU electricity demand rose by 2.2% to 1,313 TWh in the first half of 2025.

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} }