Solar power overtakes coal in EU electricity mix in 2024

Solar power surpassed coal in the European Union’s (EU) electricity mix for the first time in 2024, according to energy think tank Ember. 

Solar accounted for 11% of the EU’s electricity mix, up from 9.3% in 2023, while coal fell below 10%, the lowest since Ember began tracking in 2011.

Gas-fired power dropped to 15.7% from 16.9% in 2023. Wind power remained steady at 17.4%, though new wind capacity of 13GW in 2024 was partially offset by less favourable wind conditions. Nuclear power remained the leading energy source, growing to 23.7% from 23% the previous year.

Ember’s senior analyst, Chris Rosslowe, noted sharp declines in coal and gas over the past two years, calling fossil fuels “at a historic low” in the EU.