Preliminary Eurostat data for 2024 show that the renewable energy supply in the European Union (EU) increased 3.4% year-on-year (YoY), reaching approximately 11.3 million terajoules (TJ). Meanwhile, coal use plummeted to historic lows, with brown coal and hard coal supplies dropping by 10% and 13.8%, respectively.
Renewable energy was the leading source of electricity in the EU last year, accounting for 47.3% of all electricity production in the bloc. It generated 1.313 GWh, an increase of 7.7% over 44.9% reported for 2023. Electricity supply from solar PV rose 48.3 TWh or 19.6% YoY to 295.28 GWh, hydroelectricity increased by 41.9 TWh or 11.6%, and wind electricity by 9.5 TWh or 2.0%.
In 2022, the EU faced an energy crisis exacerbated by the Russian invasion of Ukraine and extreme weather, impacting hydro and nuclear power. In response, the EU launched the RepowerEU Plan to save energy, diversify supply, and accelerate clean energy. As a result, 2023 saw a rise in renewables and a sharp decline in fossil fuels. Preliminary 2024 data show continued growth in renewables, a decline in coal, and stable natural gas use.
Eurostat notes that between 2019 and 2024, solar PV energy generation went up by as much as 150.2%. During this 5-year period, wind energy generation increased by 32.7%, whereas natural gas generation declined by 22.1%.
“Preliminary 2024 data for electricity show a record high reliance on renewables (1 313 Terawatt hours (TWh)) and a record low use of fossil fuels (810 TWh),” states Eurostat.
The share of renewable energy can be trusted to increase further in the EU’s electricity supply, with the European Commission recently proposing an amendment to the EU Climate Law. The commission seeks to achieve a 90% reduction in net GHG emissions by 2040, compared to 1990 levels, which it says will provide certainty to investors and innovation.
According to the commission, the EU is on track to meet the 2030 target of reducing its net GHG emissions by at least 55%. It now eyes a decarbonized European economy by 2050.
SolarPower Europe has welcomed the EU proposal, saying it sends a clear signal to invest in decarbonization.
“We now expect the European Commission to put forward the post-2030 framework that will enable us to achieve this target. This should include three sub-targets for: renewable energy deployment, electrification, and flexibility. Solar and storage are ready to play a central role as the most scalable, affordable and secure technologies available,” said SolarPower Europe Deputy CEO Dries Acke.
