EU Wind and Solar Surpass Fossil Fuels in 2025

In 2025, wind and solar power generated more electricity across the European Union than fossil fuels for the first time, marking a significant milestone in the region's shift toward renewable energy sources. According to a report from the energy think tank Ember, these renewables accounted for 30 percent of the EU's total electricity production, narrowly surpassing fossil fuels at 29 percent.

The surge was led by solar power, which reached a record 13 percent of EU electricity generation after expanding by more than 20 percent for the fourth consecutive year. Wind contributed 17 percent, experiencing a slight two percent decline from 2024 due to lower wind speeds early in the year. Overall, renewable sources, including hydropower and biomass, provided nearly 48 percent of the bloc's power, even as hydropower output fell 12 percent amid sunny weather and reduced rainfall. Nuclear energy filled 20 percent of the mix, while coal generation hit a historic low of 9.2 percent, concentrated primarily in Germany and Poland.

This transition reflects a decade-long decline in fossil fuels, which have dropped from 36.7 percent of EU electricity in 2019 to their current share. Gas generation...