This is confirmed by the annual 'European Electricity Review' report published by the British think tank Ember: wind and solar energy are now generating more electricity than fossil fuels in the European Union. According to this analysis, in 2025, these two renewable sources reached a record 30.1% share of total electricity production. Experts attribute this achievement largely to the growth in solar generation, which rose by 20% compared to 2024.

This represents a pivotal turning point. The Guardian reports that wind turbines and solar photovoltaic panels produced 1% more of the EU’s electricity in 2025 than power plants using coal, oil, and gas, which accounted for 29%.

The study highlights that over the past five years, these clean energy sources have expanded their contribution from 20% in 2020 to 30% in 2025. On the other hand, fossil fuels continue to decline, dropping from 37% to 29% during the same timeframe, as indicated by Ember’s data.

The report also points out that coal reached a record low in 2025 at just 9.2%. This highly polluting source remains prevalent in certain European nations. For example, Germany and Poland—despite reducing their coal-based electricity generation in the last year—still account for over 74% of electricity generated with coal.

EU reaches turning point as wind and solar surpass fossil fuels

Regarding solar power, the European countries with the highest share of electricity generated from this source include Spain, Cyprus, Greece, Hungary, and the Netherlands

.

As of early 2026, low-carbon sources (renewables including hydro and nuclear) provide approximately 71%

At a summit in Hamburg, Germany, on Monday, nine European governments will commit to accelerate the expansion of offshore wind power through large-scale, cross-border projects, to hit their overall target for 300 gigawatts (GW) of offshore wind capacity by 2050, according to a draft summit declaration, seen by Reuters.

Britain and the participating EU countries will pledge to meet up to 100 GW of this goal via joint cross-border projects, said the declaration, which would also be signed by Belgium, France, Ireland, Luxembourg, the Netherlands and Norway.

Europe commits to wind energy expansion despite Trump criticism, draft shows

Why dont they have a total breakdown of all energy sources ? Or am I missing something.

Would be good to know the total energy consumption by the various methods.

1 minute ago, blaze master said:

Why dont they have a total breakdown of all energy sources ? Or am I missing something.

Would be good to know the total energy consumption by the various methods.

1. Electricity Generation Mix (2025–2026)

For the first time in 2025, combined wind and solar power surpassed all fossil fuels in the EU electricity sector. 

• Renewables (approx. 50%+): In 2024, renewables reached nearly 47% of net electricity. By the second quarter of 2025, they provided over 54% of requirements.

  • Wind & Solar: Together accounted for 30% of total EU electricity in 2025.

  • Hydro: Remains a steady contributor, providing about 13.5% of net generation.

  Nuclear Energy (approx. 23%): The largest single low-carbon source, providing around 23.4% of electricity as of late 2024/2025.

• Fossil Fuels (approx. 29% and falling): Total electricity from coal, oil, and gas fell below the combined wind and solar output for the first time in 2025.

• Natural Gas: Approximately 17%.

• Coal: Hit a historic low of 9.2% in 2025. 

2. Total Energy Mix (Gross Available Energy)

Beyond electricity, the broader "energy mix" (which includes heating and transport) still features a higher share of petroleum and gas, though these are in steady decline. 

• Oil & Petroleum (37%+): Remains the largest source for the overall economy, primarily due to transport and industrial needs.

• Natural Gas (approx. 20%): The second largest source, though consumption dropped roughly 19% between 2021 and 2024 due to supply diversification away from Russia.

• Renewables (approx. 18-25%): Growing rapidly; the EU aims for a minimum of 42.5% across all sectors by 2030.

3. Import Dependency and Security

The EU produces only about 37-42% of its own energy, importing the rest. 

• Diversification: Since the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, the EU has drastically reduced reliance on Russian gas (from ~40% to ~15% or less depending on the member state).

• Major Suppliers: Current key partners include Norway, the United States (LNG), Kazakhstan, and

  Saudi Arabia.

• 4. Notable Country Variations

  • Renewable Leaders:Denmark (over 90% renewable electricity), Latvia, and Portugal

    .

  • Nuclear Reliant Franc (approx. 63% of its power from nuclear) and Slovakia

    .

  • Coal Users: Poland and Czechia maintain higher-than-average coal shares, though these are decreasing. 

  energy sources for the eu - Google Search

  . 

1 minute ago, bannork said:

1. Electricity Generation Mix (2025–2026)

For the first time in 2025, combined wind and solar power surpassed all fossil fuels in the EU electricity sector. 

• Renewables (approx. 50%+): In 2024, renewables reached nearly 47% of net electricity. By the second quarter of 2025, they provided over 54% of requirements.

  • Wind & Solar: Together accounted for 30% of total EU electricity in 2025.

  • Hydro: Remains a steady contributor, providing about 13.5% of net generation.

  Nuclear Energy (approx. 23%): The largest single low-carbon source, providing around 23.4% of electricity as of late 2024/2025.

• Fossil Fuels (approx. 29% and falling): Total electricity from coal, oil, and gas fell below the combined wind and solar output for the first time in 2025.

• Natural Gas: Approximately 17%.

• Coal: Hit a historic low of 9.2% in 2025. 

2. Total Energy Mix (Gross Available Energy)

Beyond electricity, the broader "energy mix" (which includes heating and transport) still features a higher share of petroleum and gas, though these are in steady decline. 

• Oil & Petroleum (37%+): Remains the largest source for the overall economy, primarily due to transport and industrial needs.

• Natural Gas (approx. 20%): The second largest source, though consumption dropped roughly 19% between 2021 and 2024 due to supply diversification away from Russia.

• Renewables (approx. 18-25%): Growing rapidly; the EU aims for a minimum of 42.5% across all sectors by 2030.

3. Import Dependency and Security

The EU produces only about 37-42% of its own energy, importing the rest. 

• Diversification: Since the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, the EU has drastically reduced reliance on Russian gas (from ~40% to ~15% or less depending on the member state).

• Major Suppliers: Current key partners include Norway, the United States (LNG), Kazakhstan, and

  Saudi Arabia.

• 4. Notable Country Variations

  • Renewable Leaders:Denmark (over 90% renewable electricity), Latvia, and Portugal

    .

  • Nuclear Reliant Franc (approx. 63% of its power from nuclear) and Slovakia

    .

  • Coal Users: Poland and Czechia maintain higher-than-average coal shares, though these are decreasing. 

  energy sources for the eu - Google Search

  . 

You just did a far better job of reporting than the article.

Thanks.

On a minor, much smaller scale, solar & BEV has certainly given us and other AN members partial or complete independence from the grid & big oil ... while at home. Myself, complete independence, as only time we use the grid, is elective, and not mandatory.

After an O&A, like to charge the car back up to 50% from 20%, as closest 'trauma' center is 100+ kms away. Or grid may kick in overnight, if we mismanage during the day, like forget to unplug the car at sunset That's rare, and we do have 16 kWh if topped up, (w/ 20% reserve) and only need 5 overnight, if that, with the AC on. Did kick in a few times, while waiting for one ESS to be replaced, but again, elective for AC comfort, when a fan would have sufficed.

U.K. wind power is on track to supply a good % of domestic supply ,with nuclear as well..

ONDON, Jan 26 (Reuters) - Britain's National Grid and Germany's TenneT Germany will partner to develop a power link connecting British and German offshore wind farms in the North Sea to supply both countries, the companies said on Monday.

The announcement comes as Britain, Germany, Denmark and other European countries sign a clean energy pact at a summit in Hamburg, pledging to deliver 100 gigawatts of offshore wind power through large-scale joint projects.

German Economy and Energy Minister Katherina Reiche welcomes Britain's Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero Ed Miliband for the third international North Sea Summit, in Hamburg, Germany January 26, 2026. REUTERS/Jonas Walzberg

The interconnector, called GriffinLink, could connect up to 2 GW of offshore wind to the two countries and could be operational by the late 2030s, the companies said.

UK, Germany grid operators to develop power link between offshore wind farms