European Union: Solar and Wind Generate More Electricity Than Fossil Fuels

The European Union has reached a historic milestone: for the first time, solar and wind power generated more electricity than fossil fuel sources.

Europe is continuing its shift towards clean energy. In 2025, that transition reached another landmark, according to a new publication from think tank Ember. In its latest European Electricity Review 2026 report, the organisation says that wind and solar produced more electricity than fossil fuels in the European Union for the first time. It also reports that coal is disappearing from the electricity sector, with its share falling to a historic low in 2025.

Solar and wind power overtake fossil fuels in the European Union

More specifically, Ember’s figures show that solar and wind together accounted for 30% of electricity generation in the European Union in 2025, compared with 29% for fossil fuels. Nuclear power came next, followed by hydropower.

An impact on electricity prices

The growing contribution of renewable energy to electricity generation is not only positive for the climate. “Increasing storage capacity, improving the grid and strengthening demand flexibility can enable a higher share of solar and wind in the energy mix. Not only will this improve security, but these measures are also essential to ensure predictable and stable prices,” Ember explains.

The Affordable Energy Action Plan and global renewable capacity

The think tank also highlights the European Commission’s Affordable Energy Action Plan, which aims to make energy more affordable. According to Ember, the plan correctly identifies dependence on imported fossil fuel sources as the factor pushing electricity costs upwards.

Globally, the International Energy Agency forecasts that renewable energy generation capacity will rise by almost 4,600 GW between 2025 and 2030. This would be twice the capacity installed between 2019 and 2024.