Solar was the fastest growing EU power source in 2024, overtaking coal for the first time.

This is according to the 2025 European Electricity Review, just published by global energy think tank Ember. The European Electricity Review analyses full-year electricity generation and demand data for 2024 in all EU-27 countries to understand the region’s progress in transitioning from fossil fuels to clean electricity.

In the section of the report entitled 2024 at a glance, the writers maintain that solar growth and a recovery in hydropower meant renewables accounted for nearly half (47%) of EU power generation. Furthermore, clean sources reached 71%, both record highs.

Other key takeaways from the organisation’s ninth annual report on the EU power sector include the decline in gas power generation for the fifth year in a row – despite a small rebound in electricity demand. Combined with another coal decline, this cut total power sector emissions in 2024 to below half of their 2007 peak.

Total EU gas consumption has fallen by 20% in the past five years, with about a third of this decline occurring in the power sector. Without wind and solar added in 2024, EU gas consumption for power would have been 11% higher. Indeed, without the wind and solar capacity added since 2019, the EU would have imported 92 billion cubic metres more of fossil gas and 55 million tonnes more of hard coal, costing €59 billion.

Says Dr Beatrice Petrovich, ‍Ember Senior Energy Analyst, “The EU is striding closer towards a clean energy future powered by homegrown wind and solar. This new energy system will reduce the bloc’s vulnerability to fossil price shocks, tackle the climate crisis, and deliver affordable energy for its households and companies. Timely policy action that sustains wind and solar growth, accelerates the deployment of clean flexibility, and promotes electrification will help to secure the future of EU competitiveness”.

In related news, the European Commission will unveil its flagship initiative, the Clean Industrial Deal, on February 26. The expectation is that the EC will present a package that addresses the challenges and opportunities of both emerging clean-tech sectors and traditional energy-intensive industries.

Download the complete 2025 European Electricity Review here.