Renewables overtook fossil fuels in EU power generation in the first half of 2024

Renewables continue to displace fossil fuels in the EU, with 30% of the power generated in the first half of 2024 coming from wind and solar energy, while 27% came from fossil fuels.

This is the first time renewables overtake fossil fuels in the power mix at a European level – though individual countries such as Portugal achieved this milestone last year.

Fossil fuels generated 17% less electricity in the first half of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023 – despite the fact that energy demand increased by 0.7%. In particular, coal generation fell by 24% and gas by 14%.

“As a result, emissions in the first half of the year are now nearly a third (-31%) lower than in the first half of 2022 – an unprecedented decline over such a short period,” writes think tank Ember, who is behind the research.

A milestone for the EU’s energy transition

Solar generation grew by 21% (25 TWh) in the first half of the year, driven by new capacity additions in Germany, Spain, Italy and Poland.

At the same time, wind generation increased by 9% (20 TWh), with almost half of this growth coming from just two countries: Germany and the Netherlands.

Together, wind and solar surpassed fossil generation in 13 Member States, a first for Germany, Belgium, Hungary and the Netherlands.

“The first half of the year shows fossil generation’s narrowing role in the power sector, and gains for renewables that are beyond temporary variations in conditions. We are witnessing a historic shift and it is happening rapidly. If Member States can keep up momentum on wind and solar deployment then freedom from fossil power reliance will truly start to come into view,” said Chris Rosslowe, Senior Energy & Climate Data Analyst at Ember.

Since 2019, solar and wind generation helped lower fossil fuel-based power generation by 20% on the continent.