Ember found that wind and solar power generation in the EU increased 46% from 2019 (when the present European Commission started office) and 2023, displacing a fifth of fossil fuel capacity.
WHY IS IT IMPORTANT?
The Commission recommends 45% renewable energy by 2030.
From June 6-9, the European Parliament elections take place. Polls predict a lower majority for pro-EU parties like the center-right, center-left, Greens, and liberals, while the far-right will gain popularity.
Many EU measures to decrease greenhouse gas emissions are in place, but some will be reviewed in the next five years, making it harder to implement more ambitious legislation.
CONTEXT Wind and solar capacity in the EU has expanded 65% since 2019. Wind capacity rose 31% to 219 GW in 2023, while solar capacity doubled to 257 GW. This growth would require installing over 230,000 solar panels per day for four years, according to the analysis.
If not for this development, fossil generation would have declined by 1.9% (21 TWh) rather than 22% due to a dip in other renewable energy production that offset lower electricity consumption.
CONCLUSION
“The European Union has achieved unprecedented levels of domestic wind and solar energy production, resulting in historical lows for coal and gas electricity generation,” said Ember’s Europe programme director Sarah Brown.
“The EU is now in the midst of a historic, permanent shift away from reliance on fossil fuels for power.”
By numbers.
The EU’s renewable electricity mix rose from 34% in 2019 to 44% in 2023 due to new solar and wind capacity.
Energy generation from coal and gas has dropped from 39% to 32.5%.
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