☀️ Solar power generated more electricity than coal in EU last year

• Solar panels generated 11 percent of EU electricity in 2024, while coal power plants accounted for 10 percent.
• The use of fossil fuels decreased for the fifth consecutive year.
• The EU is on track to reach its goal of 400 GW installed solar energy capacity by 2025, having achieved 338 GW in 2024.

Solar energy shows strong growth

Solar energy has now surpassed coal power in EU energy production, according to a new report from climate analysis institute Ember. In 2024, solar panels accounted for 11 percent of EU electricity production, while coal power plants produced 10 percent. This occurred despite the region receiving less sun than the previous year.

Wind and solar energy together accounted for 29 percent of EU electricity production in 2024. Meanwhile, hydropower and nuclear power continued to recover from the low levels of 2022. The EU reached 338 GW of installed solar energy capacity in 2024, positioning the union to reach its goal of 400 GW by 2025. With the current growth rate, the 2030 target of 750 GW is also within reach.

Fossil fuels decrease

Coal power in the EU has decreased by 68 percent since its peak in 2003. In 16 of the 17 countries that still used coal in 2024, usage decreased. In Germany, one of the largest coal consumers in the EU, coal's share in the power grid decreased by 17 percent compared to the previous year. In Poland, the second major coal consumer, the share dropped by 8 percent.

The use of natural gas in energy production also continued to decrease, falling in 14 of the 26 countries that use gas power. This occurred despite a small increase in total electricity consumption, following two years of sharp decline in connection with Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

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