EU Achieves Notable Rise in Renewable Energy Supply for 2024
The Hague, Thursday, 3 July 2025.
Renewable energy in the EU rose by 3.4% in 2024, comprising 47.3% of electricity production, while fossil fuels saw a significant decrease, highlighting a shift towards sustainable power.
Fostering Clean Energy: A European Perspective
The European Union’s renewable energy sector experienced a significant growth of 3.4% in 2024, now accounting for 47.3% of the region’s electricity production. This marks a strategic shift towards sustainable energy solutions amidst rising climate concerns, driven primarily by advancements in solar and wind power technologies. Solar energy saw impressive gains, increasing its output by 22% over the previous year, thus surpassing coal for the first time as a predominant energy source within the mix [1][2].
Coal: A Declining Energy Source
2024 was particularly noteworthy for the European Union as coal’s contribution to electricity generation fell below 10% for the first time in decades. Hard coal supplies decreased dramatically by 13.8% to 110.9 million tonnes, while brown coal observed a 10% reduction, the lowest documented levels since the inception of Eurostat’s data series [1][3]. These reductions are indicative of a broader, sustained push across EU nations like Germany and Poland, where coal generation decreased by 17% and 8%, respectively, underscoring the EU’s ongoing commitment to phasing out fossil fuels [2][3].
Technological Advancements Driving Change
Technological innovations continue to propel the EU’s clean energy trajectory. Wind power remained a stable contributor at 17% of the power mix, generating 477 TWh across the EU in 2024. Moreover, the investment in solar infrastructure is starting to pay off, contributing to a significant rise in renewable electricity production to 1.31 million gigawatt-hour (GWh) [1][2]. This sectoral transformation is further supported by EU climate policies aimed at facilitating a gradual yet definitive transition to a low-carbon economy [3].
Strategic Implications for the Future
Against a backdrop of stable or declining overall power demand, these renewable energy trends highlight the EU’s advancement towards its ambitious climate targets. The European Commission’s 2030 agenda outlines a legally binding goal to achieve at least a 40% share of renewables in the total energy mix, with further proposals to increase this to 45% to reduce dependency on fossil fuels [3][4]. The REPowerEU plan plays a critical role by setting measures to expedite the clean energy transition, signifying robust governmental support for continued renewable investments [3].