Wind and solar power finally exceeds fossil fuel power generation in Europe
Wind and solar power have now surpassed fossil fuels in electricity production in the EU, according to analysis by London-based think tank Ember.
European Electricity Review 2026 | Ember
In Europe, Wind and Solar Overtake Fossil Fuels - Yale E360
https://e360.yale.edu/digest/europe-wind-solar-fossil-fuels
According to Ember's analysis, 29% of the EU's electricity supply will come from fossil fuels, while wind and solar power will account for 30% in 2025. When hydroelectric power is included, renewable energy will account for almost half of the EU's electricity supply in 2025.
Hungary, Cyprus, Greece, Spain and the Netherlands all provided more than 20% of their electricity from solar power alone.
The analysis found that solar power generation is increasing in all EU member states, while coal-fired power generation is generally in decline, with coal power generation accounting for less than 5% of electricity in 19 European countries. The share of coal-fired power supply will fall further in 2025, when Ireland and Finland plan to close all of their domestic coal-fired power plants.
On the other hand, the amount of hydroelectric power supply has decreased due to droughts caused by global warming, and natural gas-fired power generation has increased to compensate for this.
Ember analyst Beatriz Petrovic said: 'The EU's next priority is to significantly reduce its reliance on expensive imported natural gas, which not only makes the EU vulnerable to energy challenges but also contributes to rising electricity prices.'
In some parts of the EU, there is an increasing trend to use stored batteries to supply electricity in the early evening when demand is high and solar power output slows. 'If this trend accelerates, gas demand in the evening could fall, stabilizing electricity prices,' said Petrovic.
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