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However, solar energy is emerging as the fastest-growing contributor to the renewable mix. Generation reached 304 terawatt hours in 2024, a 22% increase from the previous year and a dramatic rise from just 7.4 terawatt hours in 2008. This surge meant solar overtook coal in EU electricity generation for the first time in history, with coal producing 269 terawatt hours in comparison.
Gas generation also continued its downward trajectory for the fifth consecutive year, with wind generating more electricity than gas for the second year running. Wind accounted for 17% of total electricity generation compared to gas at 16%.
Germany, the bloc's largest economy, crossed the 50% threshold for the first time, with renewables supplying 54.1% of its electricity. Other notable performers included Portugal at 65.8%, Spain at 59.7%, and the Netherlands at 50.5%.
At the other end of the spectrum, Malta registered the lowest share at 10.7%, constrained by limited land for large scale projects and heavy reliance on imported electricity. The Czech Republic at 17.9% and Luxembourg at 20.5% also remained below 25%.
Meeting the 2030 goal will require doubling the pace of renewable deployment seen over the past decade, according to the European Environment Agency. This means accelerating not just electricity generation, but also renewable integration into heating systems and transportation infrastructure.
The achievement of nearly 50% renewable electricity marks a pivotal moment in Europe's energy history, demonstrating that large scale decarbonization is not only possible but economically viable. As the continent moves toward its 2030 targets, the electricity sector's success provides a blueprint for transforming other energy intensive sectors.
EU Achieves Historic Renewable Energy Milestone as Solar Overtakes Coal
January 15, 2026
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The European Union has reached a landmark achievement in its clean energy transition, with renewable sources supplying nearly half of the bloc's electricity for the first time. Official data released by Eurostat on January 14th, 2026, reveals that renewables accounted for 47.5% of gross electricity consumption across the 27 member states in 2024, marking a significant acceleration in the continent's shift away from fossil fuels.
Tripling Renewable Capacity in Two Decades
The 2024 figure represents a 2.1 percentage point increase from 2023 and demonstrates remarkable progress over the past two decades. The renewable share has nearly tripled since 2004, when it stood at just 15.9% of the EU's electricity mix. This transformation represents one of the most successful large-scale energy transitions in modern history.Wind and Hydro Lead, Solar Surges
Wind power remains the dominant renewable source, contributing 38% of all electricity generated from renewables, followed by hydropower at 26.4%. Together, these two sources account for nearly two thirds of renewable generation across the bloc.However, solar energy is emerging as the fastest-growing contributor to the renewable mix. Generation reached 304 terawatt hours in 2024, a 22% increase from the previous year and a dramatic rise from just 7.4 terawatt hours in 2008. This surge meant solar overtook coal in EU electricity generation for the first time in history, with coal producing 269 terawatt hours in comparison.
Fossil Fuels Reach Record Low
The growth in clean energy has pushed fossil fuels to an unprecedented low of 28% share of the EU power mix in 2024, down from previous years. This decline resulted in a 13% reduction in power sector emissions. Coal generation has plummeted by 68% since its 2003 peak, falling from the third largest EU power source in 2019 to the sixth largest in 2024.Gas generation also continued its downward trajectory for the fifth consecutive year, with wind generating more electricity than gas for the second year running. Wind accounted for 17% of total electricity generation compared to gas at 16%.
National Leaders and Laggards
Austria topped EU member states with 90.1% of its electricity consumption coming from renewables, primarily hydropower. Sweden followed at 88.1%, drawing on a combination of hydro and wind, while Denmark reached 79.7%, relying mostly on wind power.Germany, the bloc's largest economy, crossed the 50% threshold for the first time, with renewables supplying 54.1% of its electricity. Other notable performers included Portugal at 65.8%, Spain at 59.7%, and the Netherlands at 50.5%.
At the other end of the spectrum, Malta registered the lowest share at 10.7%, constrained by limited land for large scale projects and heavy reliance on imported electricity. The Czech Republic at 17.9% and Luxembourg at 20.5% also remained below 25%.
Path to 2030 Targets
The figures come as the EU works toward its binding target of 42.5% renewable energy in the bloc's overall energy mix by 2030, with an aspiration to reach 45%. While the electricity sector is running ahead of schedule, the broader energy mix including transport and heating trails behind. In 2024, renewables accounted for 25.4% of all final energy consumed in the EU, up about one percentage point from 2023.Meeting the 2030 goal will require doubling the pace of renewable deployment seen over the past decade, according to the European Environment Agency. This means accelerating not just electricity generation, but also renewable integration into heating systems and transportation infrastructure.
Economic Benefits of the Transition
The rapid deployment of wind and solar capacity since 2019 has delivered substantial economic benefits to the EU. Analysis shows that without the wind and solar capacity added since 2019, the EU would have needed to import 92 billion cubic metres more fossil gas and 55 million tonnes more hard coal, costing an estimated 59 billion euros.Future Outlook
Energy experts note that wind and solar are pushing coal to the margins and forcing gas into structural decline across Europe. However, further progress cannot be taken for granted. Delivery needs to accelerate, particularly in the wind sector, which has faced supply chain challenges and permitting delays in several member states.The achievement of nearly 50% renewable electricity marks a pivotal moment in Europe's energy history, demonstrating that large scale decarbonization is not only possible but economically viable. As the continent moves toward its 2030 targets, the electricity sector's success provides a blueprint for transforming other energy intensive sectors.
Published January 15, 2026 at 6:56am
