The European Union's shift to cleaner energy continued to accelerate in 2024, with solar power surpassing coal for the first time, as part of the ongoing transition away from fossil fuels. This significant achievement is the latest milestone in the EU's drive to decarbonize its electricity sector, following years of growing solar and wind capacity and a consistent decline in fossil fuel reliance.

According to Ember’s 2024 European Electricity Review, despite ongoing political and economic challenges, solar power grew at an exceptional rate, and coal fell further behind. In 2024, solar generated 304 terawatt-hours (TWh), a 22% increase from the previous year, overtaking coal, which generated 269 TWh. Solar now accounts for 11% of the EU’s power mix, while coal has dropped to just 10%.

This marks a sharp reversal for coal, which was the third-largest source of EU electricity in 2019 but now ranks as the sixth-largest. Meanwhile, wind power continues to hold the second-largest share of the EU's electricity generation, surpassed only by nuclear power.

As a result of these trends, the EU’s reliance on fossil fuels has sharply declined, with renewables now accounting for 47% of the electricity mix in 2024, up from 34% in 2019. This growth has also significantly reduced the EU’s dependence on imported fossil fuels, cutting the bloc’s fossil import bill by €59 billion since the start of the European Green Deal.

Gas, which has been on a five-year decline, continued to shrink in 2024 despite a small increase in electricity demand. This decline in fossil generation has played a key role in reducing the EU's total gas consumption by 20% over the past five years, with the power sector contributing roughly a third of that drop.

However, despite the impressive progress, experts warn that the pace of the transition needs to be accelerated to meet 2030 climate goals. Dr. Beatrice Petrovich, Senior Energy Analyst at Ember, emphasized that continuing to grow solar and wind capacity, alongside improving clean flexibility, is crucial for ensuring the EU's energy future remains secure, affordable, and less vulnerable to external fossil fuel price shocks.

Dr. Chris Rosslowe, Senior Energy Analyst at Ember, added that while the EU’s electricity transition has exceeded expectations in recent years, challenges remain, particularly in the wind sector. A clear commitment to timely policy action and stronger wind power deployment will be essential for maintaining momentum and achieving a clean, competitive energy future.

The European Electricity Review, which analyzes electricity generation and demand data across all EU-27 countries, highlights the region’s remarkable shift towards homegrown clean energy and its ongoing journey to a sustainable and resilient electricity sector.