Wind and solar overtake fossil fuels in EU for first time
Renewables have more than met resurgent EU energy demand in wake of Covid-19 and energy crisis caused by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine
Wind and solar farms generated more electricity than fossil fuels in the EU during the first six months of 2024, the first time this has been achieved in a half year period, according to new analysis from think tank Ember.
Wind and solar grew to an all-time high of 30% of EU electricity generation in the first half of the year, said Ember in analysis released today. This compared to 27% from fossil fuels, which fell by 17%.
“With wind and solar on the rise, the role of fossil fuel power is narrowing,” said Ember analyst Chris Rosslowe. “We are witnessing a historic shift in the power sector, and it is happening rapidly.”
Growth in renewables, particularly wind and solar, was the primary driver of their increased market share. Their growth outpaced a rebound in power demand in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic and the energy crisis sparked by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Coal-fired generation saw a sharp drop in usage by 24%, and gas fell by 14%.
Ember’s analysis found that mild weather and good hydro performance also contributed to the large fall in fossil generation, but that wind and solar growth was the largest single factor.
The invasion of Ukraine, which resulted in much of Europe going cold turkey on Russian gas, resulted in the EU and many of its member states accelerating their efforts to reduce reliance on gas imports and boost wind and solar.
“If member states can keep momentum up on wind and solar deployment then freedom from fossil power reliance will truly start to come into view," said Rosslowe.
Thirteen member states now generate more electricity from wind and solar than from fossil fuels, said Ember, with Belgium, Hungary and the Netherlands hitting that milestone for the first time.