Solar energy (photovoltaics) has overtaken coal in the energy mix for the first time and gas losing ground for the fifth year in a row in the European Union in 2024.
According to the think tank Ember's analysis published on Thursday. The European energy sector is rapidly transforming, driven by the European Green Deal. Last year, photovoltaics reached an 11% share of electricity generation, overtaking coal (10%) for the first time, while wind (17%) overtook gas (16%) for the second year in a row.
The sustained growth of solar and wind energy, combined with a recovery in hydropower, also allowed renewables to produce almost half (47%, compared to 34% in 2019) of electricity last year in the EU. At the same time, the share of fossil fuels has fallen from 39% five years ago to 29% last year – a "historic low," according to Ember.
Nuclear power, which was on the rise last year, still occupies the top spot in the EU's energy mix (nearly 24%). "Fossil fuels are losing their grip on EU energy," said Chris Rosslowe, the lead author of the Ember report.
Accelerated transition
The rise of renewables, at the expense of fossils, has allowed the EU to save tens of billions of euros on its fossil fuel imports. Ember estimates these savings at a total of €59 billion over the last five years.
Renewables also allow the EU to be less subject to energy price volatility and to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions.
"While the EU's electricity transition has moved faster than anyone had imagined over the past five years, future progress cannot be taken for granted," said Rosslowe, adding that the deployment of wind power, in particular, "needs to be accelerated."
