Solar overtakes coal in EU power sector in 2024

Fossil power declined again in 2024, despite increases in electricity demand and the European Union’s power exports, Ember said. The record year of solar growth contributed most to fossil decline, lifting solar above coal for the first time.

The EU power sector transition made crucial progress in 2024, with momentum sustained despite economic headwinds and political upheavals, according to Ember. The think tank’s annual European Electricity Review showed that fossil power declined again in 2024, despite increases in electricity demand and EU power exports.

The new EU political leadership has been clear that the future of European competitiveness is through reduced fossil fuel dependency, the organization noted.

Photovoltaics rise to 11% of energy mix

The record year of solar growth contributed most to fossil decline, lifting solar above coal for the first time. In 2024, photovoltaics generated 11% of electricity, while coal power fell below 10%.

Fossil gas power fell for the fifth year running, to 16%, and was lower than wind power (17%) for the second year. Total fossil generation fell to a historic low, 29%. Solar growth and a recovery in hydropower meant renewables accounted for nearly half (47%) of EU power generation and clean sources reached 71%, both record highs.

Fossil fuels losing grip on energy

Fossil fuels are losing their grip on EU energy, said Chris Rosslowe, senior analyst and one of the lead authors of the report.

“While the EU’s electricity transition has moved faster than anyone expected in the last five years, further progress cannot be taken for granted. Delivery needs to be accelerated particularly in the wind sector, which has faced unique challenges and a widening delivery gap. Between now and 2030, annual wind additions need to more than double compared to 2024 levels,” in his view.

Solar was the fastest growing power source in 2024, with output 22% (54 TWh) higher than 2023, at 304 TWh. Ember attributed the increase to a record amount of capacity additions – 66 GW, with the overall level hitting 338 GW, against a slight decrease in solar irradiance. Coal power amounted to 269 TWh.

The EU remained on track to meet the target, from the RePowerEU plan, of 400 GW in total photovoltaic capacity by 2025. Furthermore, maintaining the pace of growth would bring the solar target of 750 GW by 2030 within reach, the document reads

More than half member states have coal power share no bigger than 5%

Wind power production remained similar to 2023 levels, at 17% of EU power or 477 TWh. Additions were offset by less favourable wind conditions.

Hungary has the biggest share of photovoltaics in the electricity mix in the EU

Fossil generation declined by 75 TWh (9%) on the year. It fell to the lowest level for more than forty years, 793 TWh. The collapse in the segment in 2023 was the biggest so far.

The trends are widespread. Solar is growing in every member country. More than half now have either no coal power or a share below 5%. Coal has fallen from being the EU’s third-largest power source in 2019 to the sixth largest.

Germany, Poland, Czechia amount to over 80% of EU coal power

Germany and Poland together account for almost three quarters of EU coal power, at 39% and 34%, respectively. Next is the Czech Republic, with a 9.9% share.

As for member states in Southeastern Europe, they have 8.3% combined: Bulgaria participates with 3%, Romania is at 2.5% and Slovenia contributes 1.3%, followed by Greece (1.2%) and Croatia (0.3%). Cyprus produces no electricity from coal.

Southeastern European member states participate in coal power production with 8.3% altogether

Bulgaria, Romania, Hungary and Greece had the highest intraday price spreads in the third and second quarters of 2024. Ember interpreted it as an opportunity for investments in “batteries and other clean flexibility solutions.”

Germany (71 TWh), Spain (59.6 TWh) and Italy (35.8 TWh) produced the most solar power last year. Next are France (23.6 TWh), the Netherlands (21.2 TWh), Poland (15.2 TWh) and Greece (12.3 TWh).

Looking at the share of photovoltaics in the electricity mix, Hungary is number one – 24.9%! It is followed by Greece (21.5%), Spain (21.2%) and Cyprus (20.4%).