Wind and solar energy overtook fossil fuels for the first time in the European Union’s electricity mix in 2025, driven by record growth in solar output, according to data released by energy think tank Ember on Thursday.
Wind and solar accounted for 30% of the 27-country bloc’s electricity last year, surpassing fossil fuels, which contributed 29%. Solar alone produced 13% of the EU’s power and expanded by over 20% for the fourth consecutive year, outpacing both coal and hydro.
“Coal power is in its terminal decline. We could say it’s becoming history for the EU,” said Beatrice Petrovich, senior energy analyst at Ember and lead author of the report. She highlighted that fossil fuels now represent a record low of just 9.2% of the EU power mix.
Petrovich noted that unusual weather in early 2025—sunny conditions with low wind and rainfall—reduced hydro and wind output, yet strong solar generation helped keep overall renewables stable at 48% of the bloc’s power supply. Solar contributed more than a fifth of electricity in Hungary, Cyprus, Greece, Spain, and the Netherlands.
Wind energy provided 17% of EU electricity, surpassing gas, while gas generation increased by 8% due to lower hydro availability. This rise drove EU gas import costs up by 16% to €32 billion ($37 billion), the first increase since the 2022 energy crisis. Higher gas use also pushed average wholesale power prices 11% higher during gas-heavy hours compared with 2024.
Petrovich emphasized to Reuters, that the next priority for the EU should be reducing reliance on expensive imported gas. Rapid growth in battery storage—particularly in Germany, Italy, and Poland—could help shift solar and wind power to evening demand peaks and stabilize prices in the coming years.
“As fossil fuel dependencies feed instability on the global stage, the stakes of transitioning to clean energy are clearer than ever,” Petrovich added, underscoring the structural shift in the EU’s energy landscape toward renewables.
Fourteen EU countries now generate more electricity from wind and solar than from all fossil fuels, marking a significant milestone in the region’s transition to a cleaner and more sustainable power system.
