The European Union has made significant strides in its transition to clean energy, with solar power surpassing coal as a source of electricity for the first time, according to a report by thinktank Ember. The report found that solar generated 11% of the EU’s electricity in 2024, while coal-fired power plants supplied 10%. Meanwhile, the use of fossil gas dropped to 16%, marking a decline for the fifth consecutive year.
The shift towards clean energy is attributed to the rise of solar and wind power, which now make up 29% of the EU’s electricity generation. This is due in part to the declining use of coal, which has fallen by 68% since its peak in 2003. The report highlights Germany and Poland as the top two coal users in the EU, with coal making up 17% of Germany’s electricity output and 8% of Poland’s in 2024.
The EU’s transition to clean energy is also driven by the growth of solar power, which is the fastest-growing source of power in the region. Wind energy is the second-largest source, followed by nuclear energy and gas. The report notes that fossil gas has undergone a “structural decline” last year, with its use falling in 14 out of the 26 EU countries that use it.
The report’s authors are optimistic about the EU’s ability to meet its 400 gigawatt target of installed solar capacity this year and its 750 gigawatt target by 2030. However, they caution that further progress is needed, particularly in the area of wind power, which is facing unique challenges and a growing delivery gap.
The report concludes that the EU’s energy transition is accelerating, with wind and solar power pushing coal to the margins and forcing gas into decline. To sustain this progress, Ember calls for the development of “clean flexibility” technologies, such as smart meters and batteries, to help align renewable energy supply with demand. The report also emphasizes the importance of policy implementation and continuing support for clean energy technologies to ensure the EU meets its climate and energy goals.