Implementation of clean sources in the last 5 years has reduced dependence on gas and coal imports
A report from the Ember group released this Thursday (23 January 2025) indicated that electricity production from solar energy surpassed coal in the European Union for the first time in 2024. Electricity from gas is also falling for the 5th consecutive year , marking the reduction in dependence on fossil sources. (Here’s it – 43MB).
Around 47.4%, almost half of the electricity in the bloc, is now generated by renewable sources. Wind energy led generation from clean matrices, contributing 17.4%, while solar was responsible for 11.1%.
In total, renewable energies predominated in electricity production, generating around 47.4%. Next are fossil fuels, with a share of 28.9%, and nuclear sources, with 23.7%.
The energy transition in the European Union has saved around 59 billion euros due to additional wind and solar energy capacity implemented over the last 5 years. The savings represented a reduction in gas and coal imports, which would have been necessary in the absence of these renewable sources.
Coal power generation in the bloc is mainly concentrated in Germany and Poland. The use of natural gas decreased in 14 of the 26 countries in the group.
Individually, nuclear sources lead electricity production in the region, followed by wind energy and natural gas. Despite the progress, the Ember report emphasizes the need to accelerate efforts, especially in the wind sector, which needs to more than double its capacities by 2030 compared to 2024 levels.
