For the first time in history, solar energy surpassed coal as the leading source of electricity generation in the European Union, accounting for 11% of the electricity mix in 2024, while coal dropped to 10%, according to Ember‘s European Electricity Review 2025. This milestone underscores the rapid advance of renewables in the region and cements solar power as the driving force of Europe’s energy transition.
This achievement not only reflects a technological shift but also highlights profound environmental and economic impacts. Emissions from the European power sector fell by 9% in 2024, dropping to less than half of the 2007 peak. «The European Union is moving closer to a clean energy future, led by renewable sources like wind and solar,» affirms Beatrice Petrovich, senior energy analyst at Ember.
Environmental Impact: A Breath of Fresh Air
The growth of solar power in Europe has had a significant impact on reducing CO2 emissions. Since 2019, solar and wind capacity installations have prevented the emission of 460 million tonnes of CO2, equivalent to the total power sector emissions of Italy during the same period. In 2024, solar generation increased by 22% compared to the previous year, directly contributing to a 16% decline in coal generation and a 6% reduction in gas-fired power.
This structural change was accompanied by growth in other clean energy sources. Renewables accounted for 47% of the electricity generated in the European Union, with 71% of the power mix coming from clean sources, including nuclear and hydropower.
Structural Change: The End of Fossil Dominance
Since the launch of the Green Deal in 2019, Europe’s dependence on fossil fuels has drastically declined. During this period, coal’s share of the electricity mix fell from 16% in 2019 to below 10% in 2024. Over half of European countries now generate less than 5% of their electricity from coal, with ten nations having completely phased out the fuel.
Gas consumption has also seen a notable decline. Total gas use in Europe dropped by 20% over the past five years, with one-third of this reduction attributed to the power sector. However, challenges remain regarding dependence on Russian gas, which accounted for 14% of consumption in 2024.
Future Requirements: Storage and Clean Flexibility
Despite the success of solar energy, its sustained growth will depend on the implementation of storage solutions and clean flexibility. According to Ember’s report, 66 GW of additional solar capacity were installed in 2024, equating to 450,000 solar panels added per day, but this growth could slow without adequate infrastructure to manage peak production.
Solutions like batteries and smart electrification will be essential to maximise the benefits of abundant solar energy. In 2024, the hours of negative or near-zero prices doubled, reaching 4% of total time in Europe. «The installation of batteries alongside solar plants will become standard practice in the coming years,» the report notes, highlighting their role in stabilising prices and reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
Key Figures: An Economic and Social Transition
The growth of renewables has not only transformed the energy landscape but also the economy. Since 2019, renewables have saved the European Union €59 billion in fossil fuel imports, avoiding the purchase of 92 billion cubic metres of gas and 55 million tonnes of coal. These savings have strengthened the region’s competitiveness in the face of global fuel price crises.
A Promising but Challenging Future
While the achievements of 2024 are significant, more work is needed to meet the climate and energy targets for 2030. Wind energy, in particular, faces challenges related to infrastructure and policy, with a growing gap between current capacities and deployment goals. Closing this gap will require reforms in permitting processes and greater investment in storage technologies and power grids.
Europe’s energy transition continues to progress at an unprecedented pace, but as Ember’s report concludes, «The progress made should inspire confidence, but not complacency.» Accelerating policy implementation, modernising infrastructure, and fostering international collaboration will be essential to consolidating a clean, secure, and affordable energy future.
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