In the first half of 2024, wind and solar power generation in the European Union surpassed fossil fuel electricity for the first time, according to a new report by the clean energy think tank Ember.
From January to June, wind and solar energy comprised 30% of the EU’s power mix, outstripping fossil fuel electricity, which accounted for 27%. This marks a significant shift in the EU’s energy landscape.
Power demand in the EU increased by 0.7% during this period, recovering from two years of declines caused by the energy crisis. Ember noted that the relatively mild winter of 2023/2024 limited the overall rise in power demand.
Wind and solar power together exceeded fossil fuel generation in 13 EU Member States. Of these, Germany, Belgium, Hungary, and the Netherlands achieved this milestone for the first time during the first half of 2024.
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Fossil fuel generation across the EU saw a notable decline of 17% compared to the same period in 2023. Fossil fuels made up just 27% of total EU electricity generation in the first half of 2024, down from 33% in the previous year. This decrease was driven by reductions in both coal and natural gas power generation, with coal dropping by 24% and gas by 14%.
Between 2019 and 2023, increased solar and wind output contributed to a 20% reduction in the EU’s fossil-fuel power generation, as reported last month.
Despite these advances, Ember’s latest report highlights that the EU requires further policy support to address challenges in accelerating wind and solar deployment. These challenges include easing permitting processes and improving grid access.
Current policies and member states’ plans may fall short of meeting the REPowerEU targets of 750 GWdc of installed solar and 425 GW of wind capacity by 2030, the think tank warns.