
Wind and solar eclipse fossil fuels in the EU in early 2024
A new report by Ember reveals significant developments in the EU’s power sector during the first six months of 2024, highlighting the accelerated progress of the region’s clean energy transition. The EU's electricity system has continued its swift transition to renewable energy, driven predominantly by wind and solar power. Despite a rebound in electricity demand and power prices returning to pre-crisis levels, fossil fuel generation has reached an all-time low.
Fossil Fuel Generation Declines
Fossil fuel generation in the EU fell by 17% in the first half of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023, reducing to 27% of total electricity generation. This represents a decline of 71 terawatt-hours (TWh). Coal generation dropped by 24% (39 TWh), while gas decreased by 14% (29 TWh). Te report shows that this reduction occurred alongside a 0.7% increase in electricity demand, reversing a two-year trend of decline. Emissions in the EU for the first half of 2024 are now nearly a third lower than those in the same period of 2022, marking an unprecedented decrease.
Renewables Drive Down Fossil Fuel Dependence
According to Ember, wind and solar energy have been the primary drivers behind the reduction in fossil fuel use, significantly outpacing the increase in electricity demand. Although demand rose by 0.7% in early 2024, this was less than anticipated due to a mild winter. Wind and solar energy, bolstered by increased capacity and favorable conditions, were able to cover this demand and further reduce reliance on fossil fuels.
Wind and solar sources accounted for 30% of the EU’s electricity in the first half of 2024, compared to 27% from fossil fuels. This milestone was achieved in thirteen Member States, with Germany, Belgium, Hungary, and the Netherlands being the first to reach this achievement within the January-June period of 2024.
Almost half of the growth in wind generation came from just two countries: Germany (+5.5 TWh, +8.4%) and the Netherlands (+4.6 TWh, +35%).
The growth in solar is more widespread, with strong capacity additions leading to large generation increases across the EU, including in Germany (+4.5 TWh, +14%), Spain (+2.7 TWh, +13%), Italy (+2.6 TWh, +17%) and Poland (+2.4 TWh, +37%). Relative growth was even faster in other countries with Hungary’s solar generation increasing 49% (+1.5 TWh) in the first half of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023.
The data from the first half of 2024 underscores the EU’s transition towards a cleaner electricity system, as wind and solar energy have not only kept pace with but exceeded the growth in demand. This rapid shift is indicative of a permanent structural change in the EU’s energy landscape.
"The first half of the year shows fossil generation’s narrowing role in the power sector, and gains for renewables that are beyond temporary variations in conditions. We are witnessing a historic shift and it is happening rapidly. If Member States can keep up momentum on wind and solar deployment then freedom from fossil power reliance will truly start to come into view," Chris Rosslowe Senior Energy & Climate Data Analyst at Ember said.
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