Europe’s Renewable Revolution: Clean Energy Overtakes Fossil Fuels
Europe sets a historic precedent as renewables generate more electricity than traditional fossil fuels, reshaping energy policy and climate future.
Europe has made a historic leap: more of its electricity now comes from renewable sources than from fossil fuels, marking a defining moment in the continent’s clean energy transformation. Years of persistent policy innovation, rapid technological advancement, and societal commitment have come together to recast the European electricity sector, setting a global benchmark for climate action.
Table of Contents
- Electricity Transition Highlights
- Drivers Behind the Renewable Surge
- National Variations and Uneven Progress
- Impacts: Emissions, Security, and Beyond
- Policy Pathways and the Road Ahead
- Frequently Asked Questions
Electricity Transition Highlights
Europe’s energy landscape has undergone a profound transformation since 2019, catalyzed by the European Green Deal and accelerated by geopolitical and economic disruptions.
- By 2024, 47% of the EU’s electricity was generated from renewables, up from 34% in 2019, while the fossil fuel share fell from 39% to a historic low of 29%.
- Coal, once the backbone of European power, now supplies less than 10% of EU electricity.
- Solar power overtook coal for the first time, reflecting the exponential pace of photovoltaic deployment.
- The EU power sector’s carbon emissions intensity fell by 26% over five years, outpacing major economies such as the US.
| Year | % Electricity from Renewables | % Electricity from Fossil Fuels | Key Developments |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 34% | 39% | Green Deal introduced; renewables rising |
| 2022 | ~41% | ~33% | REPowerEU to counter Russian gas crisis |
| 2024 | 47% | 29% | Solar power surpasses coal; wind strengthens |
Drivers Behind the Renewable Surge
The meteoric rise of wind and solar energy is at the heart of Europe’s electricity transformation. Combined, these sources have almost doubled their share of the European power mix in just five years, thanks to both market forces and targeted policies.
Key Growth Factors
- Policy Leadership: The European Green Deal launched in 2019 set ambitious climate targets, quickly followed by the REPowerEU package, which addressed the urgency of energy independence from Russia by boosting renewable deployment.
- Technological Advances: The cost of wind and solar continued to fall, making them more economically attractive than new coal or gas power plants in most markets.
- Market Reforms: Power market reforms encouraged grid integration of renewables, investment in flexibility, and fair competition.
- Installed solar capacity nearly tripled, from 120 GW (2019) to 338 GW (2024).
- Wind capacity grew by 37%, from 169 GW to 231 GW over the same period.
- Consumer Demand: Households, municipalities, and companies increasingly opted for clean energy, propelling the adoption of rooftop solar and green power tariffs.
The renewable expansion was not limited to technological change. The geopolitical shock from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in early 2022 highlighted vulnerabilities in the continent’s energy supply, spurring urgent action to diversify and accelerate the clean transition.
National Variations and Uneven Progress
While the EU as a whole has made remarkable progress, there is considerable variation in how individual countries have accelerated—or lagged—in their transition to renewables.
- In 2019, only 12 EU countries generated more electricity from renewables than fossil fuels; by 2024, this number had risen to 20.
- Some countries like Denmark, Sweden, and Portugal produce a majority of their electricity from wind, solar, and hydropower.
- Poland and Czechia, traditionally coal-dependent, have made substantial but slower progress due to economic challenges and concerns about energy affordability and grid integration.
- Despite declining coal and gas, certain member states exhibit political resistance or sluggish policy updates, reflecting domestic priorities and industry lobbying.
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Coal Decline and Gas Phaseout
Coal’s share has plummeted dramatically: from over one-quarter of EU electricity two decades ago to less than 10% today. Gas-fired generation has declined for five consecutive years, with renewables now typically outpacing gas even during seasons of high electricity demand.
However, the pace of transition varies. Some countries—especially in Central and Eastern Europe—figure their fossil fuel legacy into the pace and design of their clean electricity transition, while others sprint forward with innovative green investments and policies.
Impacts: Emissions, Security, and Beyond
Europe’s clean electricity transition delivers benefits beyond carbon reduction.
- Climate Impact: Emissions from the EU power sector have fallen below half their 2007 peak, with the sector’s carbon intensity dropping more steeply than other large economies.
- Energy Security: The push for renewables has minimized the bloc’s exposure to fossil fuel price spikes and global supply disruptions.
- Economic Savings: Since 2019, wind and solar have avoided an estimated €59 billion in fossil fuel imports, by reducing the need for gas and coal in electricity generation.
- Public Health and Innovation: Shifting away from coal reduces air pollution and encourages clean energy innovation, spurring jobs and future-ready industries.
The transition also entails significant structural reform, including:
- Modernization and expansion of electricity grids
- Investment in battery storage and flexible demand (e.g., EV charging, smart appliances)
- EU-wide coordination to facilitate renewables integration and manage intermittent power
Case Study: Comparing the EU and US Power Sectors
| Region | Change in Power Sector Emissions (2019–2024) | Emissions Intensity (gCO2/kWh, 2024) | Primary Renewable Growth Drivers |
|---|---|---|---|
| EU | -26% | 213 | Wind, solar, ambitious policy |
| USA | -13% | 361 | Market forces, coal phaseout |
Policy Pathways and the Road Ahead
Despite significant progress, experts urge that the pace must accelerate further to meet Europe’s 2030 and 2050 climate targets. Wind and solar are cost-competitive, but further reforms and investments are needed for sustained growth and a resilient grid.
Key Priorities for Continued Success
- Accelerating Wind Expansion: Political commitment, permitting for new wind farms, and public-private partnerships are needed to close the gap to EU targets.
- Enhancing Grid Flexibility: Investment in grid infrastructure, storage, and demand management will allow for better integration of variable renewables and provide price stability.
- Enabling Electrification: Decarbonizing heating, transport, and industry by electrifying demand side sectors is crucial to maximize the value of clean generation.
- Integrated Policy Approach: Aligning national plans, promoting energy efficiency, and ensuring a fair and just transition for communities affected by the decline of fossil industries.
Looking ahead, experts emphasize that a clean, electrified future built on homegrown wind and solar power will underpin European energy security and household affordability, and reduce vulnerability to global shocks.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: What percentage of EU electricity comes from renewables in 2024?
A: Around 47% of the EU’s electricity generation is from renewables, surpassing fossil fuels which have fallen to 29%.
Q: Which renewable sources have grown the fastest in Europe?
A: Solar energy has shown the fastest growth, nearly tripling its installed capacity over five years, with wind also advancing substantially.
Q: Has every EU country achieved more renewable than fossil electricity?
A: No, the shift is uneven. In 2024, 20 out of the 27 EU countries now generate more electricity from renewables than from fossil fuels, up from 12 in 2019. Some nations progress faster than others due to differing economic and policy factors.
Q: What are the main benefits of Europe’s electricity transition?
A: The primary benefits include reduced carbon emissions, improved energy security from reduced import dependence, significant fossil fuel savings, and public health gains from cleaner air.
Q: What challenges remain for further renewable growth?
A: Key limitations include the need for faster permitting for wind, expanded grid infrastructure, investment in battery storage and demand flexibility, and consistent political commitment across all member states.
References
- https://ember-energy.org/latest-insights/european-electricity-review-2025/
- https://eu.boell.org/en/2025/04/29/eu-still-transitioning-renewable-energy
- https://ember-energy.org/latest-insights/european-electricity-review-2025/five-years-of-progress/
- https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/web/interactive-publications/energy-2025
- https://strategicenergy.eu/renewable-generation-exceeds-41-in-the-oecd-and-grows-6-year-on-year-in-may/
- https://www.euronews.com/green/2025/07/22/more-than-90-of-new-renewable-energy-projects-are-now-cheaper-than-fossil-fuels-study-show
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