Amid broad concerns about the planet’s climate future, there are hopeful signs from time to time. For the first time in history, renewable energy outpaced fossil fuels in half of this year’s electricity mix in the European Union.
“The decline of fossil fuels marks a turning point,” notes a report from Ember. “Coal and gas have become too costly and too risky, and the European Union is moving away from them.”
The report shows that 33 percent of the continent’s electricity came from coal and gas in the first half of the year. Renewable energy reached 36 percent. It adds that between January and June, fossil fuels generated 410 terawatt hours, the lowest share in the EU’s electricity mix to date at 33 percent. More than two thirds of the 36 percent produced from renewables came from wind and solar.
Wind turbines and solar panels have become symbols of this energy shift, captured by images of a modern European landscape.
This European breakthrough in renewable energy owes much to a global climate action framework and a clear EU pledge to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. That goal means minimal reliance on polluting sources such as oil, gas, or coal. It is the combination of that long-term plan and the decline of nuclear energy that accelerates the transition toward renewables.
In addition, renewable energy gives the EU greater energy autonomy, reducing dependence on external suppliers and regimes for its electricity.
Demand dynamics
The rise of renewable generation does not completely offset the decline in coal and gas. A drop in demand, driven by higher prices, has played a major role since late 2021. When demand falls, less electricity is needed and coal and gas plants are often the first to scale back because their output comes at a higher cost and with higher emissions.
This lower demand helped cut gas and coal power production by 17 percent between the first half of 2022 and the same period of 2023.
In five countries Austria, Bulgaria, Estonia, Finland, and Portugal the generation from gas and coal fell by more than 30 percent in the first half of this year compared with the previous year. Coal produced for the first time a modest share in a given month, and in May less than 10 percent of Europe’s electricity came from coal.
Expansion still insufficient
Yet the pace is not fast enough. The severity of the climate situation and ongoing emissions require a faster deployment of renewable energy across the continent. The European Union’s carbon neutrality target will not be reached at today’s pace, and the European Commission repeatedly urges governments to accelerate deployment of renewables, especially solar and wind.
Renewable energy deployment faces gaps. The decline from 2022 to 2023 is largely explained by reduced demand due to higher electricity prices. As prices normalize, demand may stabilize, potentially slowing further reductions in gas and coal usage. Accelerating renewable energy adoption remains essential.
Hydropower also rose in the first half of 2022 to the first half of 2023, up about 11 percent. However, its growth is limited by forecasts of lower rainfall and snowfall in coming years, which could constrain water availability for electricity production.
Overall, the report emphasizes that while renewable sources are expanding, the pace must quicken to meet long-term climate goals and ensure a resilient, affordable energy system for Europe.
Notes and data are drawn from Ember’s analysis of EU electricity generation and demand trends. Embers Climate insights reflect ongoing assessments of energy mix shifts across member states and their implications for policy and industry planning.
Source note: Ember Climate insights on EU fossil generation and demand trends across 2022 to 2023 indicate a clear turning point and a continuing need for stronger acceleration of renewables.
End of summary of Ember Climate findings. The discussion continues to focus on how Europe can close gaps in deployment, enhance energy security, and meet carbon neutrality goals through sustained investment in wind, solar, and other renewable technologies.
Notes: This article references Ember Climate insights regarding EU fossil generation and demand trends for 2022 to 2023, highlighting policy and market implications for renewables.
For more details on the EU energy mix and the path to carbon neutrality, the Ember Climate insights provide ongoing analysis and scenario planning across member states.
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