Photo voltaic generated 11% of EU electrical energy in 2024, overtaking coal which fell under 10% for the primary time, in accordance with the European Electrical energy Overview printed as we speak by assume tank Ember.
EU gasoline technology declined for the fifth yr in a row, and whole fossil technology fell to a historic low.
“Fossil fuels are shedding their grip on EU vitality,” mentioned Dr Chris Rosslowe, senior analyst and lead creator of the report. “In the beginning of the European Inexperienced Deal in 2019, few thought the EU’s vitality transition could possibly be the place it’s as we speak; wind and photo voltaic are pushing coal to the margins and forcing gasoline into structural decline.”
The European Electrical energy Overview printed as we speak by world vitality assume tank Ember gives the first complete overview of the EU energy system in 2024. It analyzes full-year electrical energy technology and demand knowledge for 2024 in all EU-27 international locations to know the area’s progress in transitioning from fossil fuels to scrub electrical energy.
Wind and photo voltaic proceed their meteoric rise within the EU
The EU energy sector is present process a deep transformation spurred on by the European Inexperienced Deal. Photo voltaic technology (11%) overtook coal (10%) for the primary time in 2024, as wind (17%) generated extra electrical energy than gasoline (16%) for the second yr in a row.
Robust photo voltaic progress, mixed with a restoration of hydropower, pushed the share of renewables to almost half of EU energy technology (47%). Fossil fuels generated 29% of the EU’s electrical energy in 2024. In 2019, earlier than the Inexperienced Deal, fossil fuels offered 39% of EU electrical energy, whereas renewables offered 34%.
Photo voltaic is rising in each EU nation and greater than half now have both no coal energy or a share under 5% of their energy combine. Coal has fallen from being the EU’s third-largest energy supply in 2019 to the sixth-largest in 2024, bringing the tip into sight for the dirtiest fossil gas. EU gasoline technology additionally declined for the fifth yr in a row (-6%) regardless of a really small rebound in energy demand (+1%).
The EU is reaping the advantages of lowered fossil gas dependency
The surge in wind and photo voltaic technology has lowered the EU’s reliance on imported fossil fuels and its publicity to risky costs for the reason that vitality disaster. Ember’s evaluation discovered that with out new wind and photo voltaic capability added during the last 5 years, the EU would have imported a further 92 billion cubic meters of fossil gasoline and 55 million tonnes of coal, costing €59 billion.
“Whereas the EU’s electrical energy transition has moved sooner than anybody anticipated within the final 5 years, additional progress can’t be taken with no consideration,” continued Rosslowe. “Supply must be accelerated significantly within the wind sector, which has confronted distinctive challenges and a widening supply hole. Between now and 2030, annual wind additions have to greater than double in comparison with 2024 ranges. Nonetheless, the achievements of the previous 5 years ought to instil confidence that, with continued drive and dedication, challenges could be overcome and a safer vitality future be achieved.”
Walburga Hemetsberger, CEO of SolarPower Europe mentioned: “This milestone is about extra than simply local weather motion; it’s a cornerstone of European vitality safety and industrial competitiveness. Renewables are steadily pushing fossil fuels to the margins, with photo voltaic main the way in which. We now want extra flexibility to kick-in, ensuring the vitality system is adapting to new realities: extra storage and extra sensible electrification in heating, transport and industries.”
Learn extra: China put in a file capability of photo voltaic and wind in 2024 – in numbers
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