Title: EU's Fossil Energy Share Tumbles to a Record Low
The European Union's ambitious energy objectives, as outlined in the Green Deal, are showing promising signs of progress. Over the past year, a comprehensive analysis has revealed some noteworthy advancements, particularly in the realm of solar energy.
Firstly, coal power's share in the EU's energy mix dropped below ten percent for the first time, marking a significant step towards a greener future. This notably low coal usage was confirmed by Ember's think tank study.
Gas power generation, on the other hand, has been decreasing consistently for five consecutive years, reaching roughly 16 percent in 2024. This decline, combined with the diminished use of other fossil fuels such as oil and waste, means that overall, fossil fuels accounted for approximately 29 percent of EU power generation in this year.
Remarkably, renewable energy sources gained an increasing share in the EU's power production, reaching 47.5 percent in 2024. Solar energy significantly contributed to this total, generating around 11 percent of the EU's electricity. Additionally, wind power contributed around 17 percent to the overall renewable energy production. Hydropower and biomass power also played their part in this green revolution.
Compared to the previous year, there was a noteworthy increase in solar energy production, rising by 21.7 percent. Interestingly, Ember reported that solar power generation is rising in all EU member countries.
Nuclear power held a substantial share of nearly 24 percent in the EU's energy mix in 2024.
The EU's green initiatives, as exemplified by the Green Deal, have evidently kicked-started the transition away from fossil fuel dependence. Chris Rosslowe of Ember commented on this progress: "Fossil fuels are losing their grip on the EU's energy supply."
This analysis covered data on power generation and consumption patterns across all 27 EU member states. The Green Deal introduced an extensive lineup of measures and regulations aimed at drastically reducing greenhouse gas emissions in sectors such as energy, transportation, industry, and agriculture.
The decrease in reliance on fossil fuels in the EU's energy supply is evident, with nuclear power accounting for 24% in 2024, while fossil fuels as a whole, including coal, gas, oil, and waste, accounted for only 29%. Significantly, the EU managed to boost its electricity supply from renewable sources, with solar energy contributing a notable 11%, leading to an impressive 21.7% increase in solar energy production compared to the previous year.
