In 2024, solar was the fastest-growing power source in the EU, increasing by 21 percent (+53 TWh) compared to 2023.
The EU contributed 11 percent of the global increase in solar generation and added a record amount of new solar capacity, according to Ember report.
Wind power grew by 8 TWh, slower than the 2019–2023 average, due to less favorable wind conditions.
Hydro generation increased by 32 TWh (+9.6 percent) and nuclear by 29 TWh (+4.6 percent) due to favorable weather and reduced downtime in France.
Fossil gas generation declined for the fifth consecutive year (-26 TWh, -5.6 percent), and coal generation dropped by 50 TWh (-16 percent), the largest decline globally in any power sector.
EU power demand rose by 30 TWh (+1.1 percent) in 2024 after declines in 2022 and 2023.
EU power sector emissions fell to 585 MtCO2 in 2024, less than half of the 2007 peak.
Over five years, coal generation fell by 182 TWh (-40 percent), with complete phaseouts in Austria, Sweden, and Portugal, and major reductions in Germany.
Gas generation declined by 139 TWh (-24 percent) since 2019, improving energy security amid geopolitical tensions and market volatility.
Fossil fuel generation in the EU dropped to its lowest in over 40 years (793 TWh).
Wind and solar generation drove the transformation, with their share in the power mix rising from 17 percent in 2019 to 29 percent in 2024.
Wind generation increased by 113 TWh (+31 percent) and solar by 179 TWh (+143 percent) since 2019.
Hydropower capacity remained stable; nuclear capacity declined from 110 GW to 96 GW due to plant closures and maintenance.
In 2024, 71 percent of the EU’s electricity came from clean sources, compared to the global average of 41 percent.
Nuclear and wind were the EU’s top generation sources, followed by gas and coal.
Wind provided 18 percent of the EU’s electricity, and solar 11 percent, overtaking coal for the first time.
Seven EU countries were among the top 15 globally for solar share.
Nuclear accounted for 24 percent of EU electricity, higher than the global average.
Fossil fuels supplied 29 percent of EU electricity, compared to 59 percent globally, with coal contributing only 9.8 percent in the EU versus 34 percent globally.
Carbon intensity of EU electricity was 213 gCO2/kWh, less than half the global average of 473 gCO2/kWh.
EU per capita electricity demand was 6.1 MWh, 60 percent above the world average but half that of the U.S.
EU per capita power sector emissions were 1.3 tCO2, 28 percent below the global average and one-third of China and the U.S. levels.
GreentechLead.com News Desk