In a landmark shift, renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power have overtaken fossil fuels in electricity generation across the European Union, according to a new report from the energy think tank Ember.
The analysis reveals that in 2022, electricity produced from solar and wind farms accounted for 22% of the EU’s total, surpassing the 20% share held by coal and natural gas-fired power plants. This represents a significant milestone in the bloc’s transition towards greener and more sustainable energy.
“The rapid growth of wind and solar is a remarkable success story, and shows that the EU is making progress in its clean energy transition,” said Dave Jones, a senior electricity analyst at Ember. “But much more is needed to meet the EU’s climate targets.”
The report highlights the rapid expansion of renewable energy capacity in recent years, driven by favourable policies, falling technology costs, and a growing public appetite for clean power. In 2022, wind and solar generation increased by 14% and 24% respectively, compared to the previous year.
Conversely, electricity production from fossil fuels declined, with coal-fired generation down by 7% and gas-fired generation down by 4%. This shift was largely attributed to high natural gas prices, which made renewable energy sources more cost-competitive.
The trend was not limited to the EU, as the report also found that globally, wind and solar provided more electricity than coal and gas for the first time in 2022. This milestone was reached as countries around the world accelerated their efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and transition to cleaner energy sources.
However, the report also cautioned that the EU’s renewable energy progress must be accelerated to meet its ambitious climate goals. The bloc aims to have at least 32% of its energy come from renewable sources by 2030, and to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.
“While the growth of wind and solar is impressive, it’s not enough to meet the EU’s climate targets,” Jones said. “Policymakers must continue to prioritise renewable energy deployment and support the development of new technologies, such as offshore wind and energy storage, to ensure a successful energy transition.”
The findings of the Ember report underscore the growing importance of renewable energy in the global energy landscape and the need for continued investment and policy support to further drive the shift away from fossil fuels.
