News from Europe: renewables overtake fossil fuels in electricity mix
Amid ongoing concerns about the planet’s climate future, occasional rays of optimism surface. In a historic first, more electricity in the European Union is produced from renewable sources than from fossil fuels in the first half of this year.
According to a report by Ember, the decline of fossil fuels signals a turning point. Coal and gas are expensive and risky, and the EU is steadily reducing their use.
The analysis shows that in the first half of the year 33 percent of the continent’s electricity came from coal and gas, marking a historic low in the electricity mix. Renewable energy rose to 36 percent, with wind and solar contributing the lion’s share of that increase.
The Ember report notes that between January and June fossil fuels produced 410 terawatt hours, the lowest level ever in the EU’s energy mix at 33 percent. More than two-thirds of the 36 percent from renewables came from wind and solar capacity.
This European milestone, sometimes called a “sorpasso” for renewables, is the result of several strategic shifts. The EU has committed to carbon neutrality by 2050, which means minimizing the use of polluting energy sources like oil, gas, and coal. Alongside this goal, a gradual phaseout of nuclear power has accelerated the growth of renewables.
Additionally, renewable energy development supports energy autonomy for the bloc, reducing reliance on external suppliers for electricity. This shift helps lessen exposure to geopolitical risks and price volatility in energy markets.
Demand dynamics
The rise in renewable electricity did not fully compensate for the overall drop in power demand and the decline in coal and gas output. The drop is partly linked to price-driven reductions in energy use that began at the end of 2021. When demand weakens, power plants that burn coal and gas often ramp down first because their electricity is costly to produce and their emissions are high.
As a result, gas and coal generation fell by 17 percent between the first halves of 2022 and 2023. In five countries Austria, Bulgaria, Estonia, Finland, and Portugal, the decline in gas and coal output during the first half of this year exceeded 30 percent compared with the same period in 2022. May marked the first time coal accounted for less than 10 percent of Europe’s electricity in any month.
Still too slow a transition
Even with these gains, the pace of expansion remains insufficient given the severity of climate challenges. The European Commission continues to urge governments to accelerate the deployment of renewable energy, especially solar and wind power, to reach carbon neutrality more quickly.
The report also shows that while hydroelectric generation rose 11 percent from the first half of 2022 to the same period in 2023, growth is limited by forecast precipitation patterns, which are not expected to increase in coming years. This underscores the need for a broader and faster rollout of renewables to meet climate targets and energy security goals.
The findings summarize a trend where reduced demand and higher prices in 2022 and 2023 influenced the energy mix. As prices normalize, the path for gas and coal continues to face pressure, reinforcing the case for stronger renewable investments and grid modernization to sustain the momentum.
Where the analysis draws on a notable shift is in the way it frames energy strategy: clean power sources are increasingly central to Europe’s energy future, while the region works to ensure reliability, affordability, and environmental integrity as it seeks to meet a pivotal climate milestone.
Notes and figures derive from Ember, a climate-focused research organization dedicated to monitoring fossil generation and energy demand in Europe.