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EU's Green Energy Revolution: Coal Power Plummets as Solar and Wind Surge to Record Highs

Jan 23

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Solar power surpasses coal in EU for first time in 2024

The EU's Decade of Energy Transformation: A Shift Towards Renewables

Over the past decade, the European Union (EU) has undergone a profound energy transformation, slashing coal power usage by 61% and achieving unprecedented growth in solar and wind energy. According to a report by energy think tank Ember, solar power generation in the EU has more than tripled since 2014, with 2024 marking the first year that solar outpaced coal in electricity generation. Wind energy also doubled in output over the same period, pushing fossil fuel dependence to its lowest level in 40 years.


Coal Declines Amid Surging Solar and Wind Power

The report highlights how wind and solar have collectively displaced fossil fuels, ensuring that the EU's reliance on coal power has dwindled to just 10% of the electricity mix in 2024, down from 16% in 2019. Notably, 16 EU nations have coal power contributions below 5%, with 10 countries eliminating coal plants entirely.


Portugal became coal-free in 2024, joining 11 other EU countries set to phase out coal completely by 2029. This significant drop in coal usage, coupled with a 25% reduction in gas-fired power over the past five years, reflects the EU's commitment to reducing carbon emissions and achieving energy independence.


The Economic and Environmental Impact of Renewable Energy

Ember's analysis reveals that renewable energy has saved the EU an estimated €59 billion in fossil fuel imports since 2019. This includes avoiding the purchase of 92 billion cubic meters (bcm) of gas and 55 million tonnes of coal, which cumulatively prevented 460 million tonnes of CO2 emissions.


This transformation is largely attributed to the EU's adoption of the European Green Deal in 2019, which set ambitious goals to limit global warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. By 2024, renewables accounted for nearly half (47%) of the EU’s electricity mix, up from 34% in 2019, while fossil fuel reliance fell from 39% to 29%.


Record Growth in Solar Power

Solar energy witnessed a record-breaking year in 2024, with generation increasing by 22% year-on-year, adding 54 terawatt-hours (TWh) of electricity. The EU also installed 66 gigawatts (GW) of new solar capacity, surpassing its previous annual record. Sixteen EU nations generated over 10% of their electricity from solar in 2024, and peak solar hours occasionally met 80% or more of energy demand in 12 countries.


This surge in solar capacity has led to more instances of negative electricity pricing, highlighting the need for enhanced grid flexibility and battery storage solutions. By the end of 2023, the EU's battery storage capacity had doubled to 16GW, with Germany and Italy accounting for 70% of installations.


Wind Energy Faces Challenges But Remains Resilient

While wind energy grew by 7TWh in 2024, supply chain disruptions and inflation caused by the global energy crisis have slowed the sector's momentum compared to previous years. However, wind remains cost-competitive with fossil fuels, even as gas prices climbed to an average of €125 per megawatt-hour (MWh) in December 2024.


The EU has taken steps to accelerate wind energy growth, including streamlining permitting processes to reduce approval times for onshore wind projects from six years to two. This effort has begun yielding results, with Germany approving 12GW of wind projects in the first half of 2024, a 60% increase from the previous year.


Towards Energy Independence and Decarbonization

The EU’s rapid expansion of renewables is reshaping its energy landscape and reducing dependence on Russian energy imports. Although Russian gas still accounted for 14% of EU consumption in 2024, this was a significant decline from 50% in 2019.


By accelerating renewable energy deployment and supporting measures like permitting reforms, the EU is on track to meet its 2030 climate goals while bolstering energy security.

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