EU Wind and Solar Power Generation Surpassed Fossil Fuels in 2025
A surge in solar capacity pushed renewables to a 30% share of the bloc's electricity mix, though grid constraints and political headwinds persist.
Wind and solar power generated more electricity than fossil fuels across the European Union for the first time in 2025, a landmark moment in the bloc’s shift toward low-carbon energy, according to data released on Thursday.
Renewables accounted for 30% of the EU’s electricity production, narrowly edging out the 29% share from fossil fuel plants running on coal, natural gas, and oil, according to energy think tank Ember. The milestone confirms Europe’s ongoing pivot to cleaner sources despite political resistance in some member states.
The achievement was driven largely by a 19% expansion in installed solar capacity, which pushed renewable output to a record high. In countries like Hungary, Spain, and the Netherlands, solar now meets over one-fifth of total electricity demand.
The growth in solar helped offset a drop in hydropower output caused by drought. However, that shortfall was also partly covered by an 8% rise in generation from natural gas-fired plants, Ember’s report noted.
Low-Carbon Sources Dominate Europe’s Mix
Overall, low-emission sources now dominate the EU’s power generation. Renewables and nuclear energy together supplied 71% of the bloc’s electricity last year. Still, other sectors like transportation remain heavily dependent on fossil fuels as the EU works to curb emissions and reduce reliance on imports, including from Russia.
The energy transition is not without political friction. Interventions from governments including Germany and the Czech Republic led Brussels to weaken key CO₂ reduction measures last year. At the same time, an EU agreement with U.S. President Donald Trump to significantly increase purchases of American energy has raised questions about Europe’s ability to wean itself off oil and gas.
Record Low for Coal, High Costs for Consumers
Coal’s role in the power mix continued to shrink, with its share falling to a historic low of 9.2%. The EU’s two largest coal consumers, Germany and Poland, also registered record-low usage.
Despite the robust growth in clean electricity, Europe has struggled to contain costs for households and industry. Ember highlighted that underinvestment in electricity grids has forced wind and solar operators to curtail production during periods of high output to prevent grid overloads.
This practice results in wasted low-cost electricity and inflates overall system costs. The think tank noted that last year’s price hikes coincided with peaks in natural gas use, and it called on the EU to accelerate investment in grids and battery storage to help stabilize prices.
