Europe’s Solar Power surpasses Coal in Historic Clean Energy Milestone
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Europe has reached a pivotal moment in its clean energy transition, with solar power generating more electricity than coal for the first time in 2024. According to a report by climate thinktank Ember, solar panels produced 11% of the EU’s electricity last year, edging out coal, which accounted for 10%. this marks a significant shift in the continent’s energy landscape,as coal—once the backbone of Europe’s industrialization—continues its decline.
“This is a milestone,” said Beatrice Petrovich, co-author of the report. “Coal is the oldest way of producing electricity, but also the dirtiest. Solar is the rising star.”
The Decline of Coal and the Rise of Renewables
Europe’s reliance on coal has been steadily decreasing since its peak in 2007, with coal-burning power plants now producing half the electricity they did at their height. This decline is part of a broader trend toward cleaner energy sources. Wind and solar energy combined accounted for 29% of the EU’s electricity generation in 2024, while hydropower and nuclear energy also rebounded from their 2022 lows.
The rise of solar power, in particular, has been remarkable. Despite receiving less sunshine than the previous year,Europe installed a record number of solar panels,making solar the fastest-growing power source in 2024. “It’s good news that the increase in solar build is actually translating to a reduction in fossil fuel burn,” said Jenny Chase, a solar analyst at BloombergNEF.
Key Shifts in Major Coal-Reliant Countries
Germany and Poland, the two largest consumers of coal in europe, have also seen significant progress.Germany’s coal usage fell by 17% year-on-year,while Poland’s dropped by 8%. These reductions reflect a broader trend across the continent, with coal becoming “marginal or absent” in most energy systems.Fossil gas, another major energy source, also experienced a “structural decline,” falling in 14 of the 26 countries that use it.This shift underscores the growing dominance of renewables in Europe’s energy mix.
Policy and Market Forces Driving Change
The transition to clean energy has been accelerated by policy measures and market dynamics. In response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the EU introduced a comprehensive plan to save energy, secure new fossil fuel suppliers, and fast-track the adoption of renewables. These efforts have paid off,with the EU on track to meet its target of 400GW of installed solar capacity by 2025.
“Policy and markets in Europe have enabled renewables to drive down the shares of both coal and natural gas,” said Gregory Nemet, an energy researcher at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and co-author of an Intergovernmental Panel on climate Change report.
The Road Ahead: Challenges and Opportunities
While Europe’s progress is commendable, challenges remain. The intermittent nature of solar and wind energy requires investments in batteries, smart meters, and other forms of “clean adaptability” to align supply with demand. The EU’s current pace of growth suggests it could achieve its 2030 target of 750GW of solar capacity, but sustained effort and innovation will be crucial.
| Key Highlights of Europe’s Energy Transition |
|————————————————–|
| Solar power generated 11% of EU electricity in 2024 |
| Coal accounted for 10%, marking a historic decline |
| Wind and solar combined reached 29% of electricity generation |
| Germany and Poland saw significant reductions in coal usage |
| EU on track to meet 400GW solar capacity target by 2025 |
A Global Perspective
Europe’s success stands in contrast to other major economies. While wind and solar are growing globally, coal continues to expand in China, and natural gas remains dominant in the US. “Europe is taking advantage of the full swath of affordability, security, and clean air benefits that renewables provide,” Nemet added.
As Europe continues to lead the way in the clean energy transition, its experience offers valuable lessons for other regions. The shift from coal to solar is not just a technical achievement but a testament to the power of policy, innovation, and collective action in addressing the climate crisis.
For more insights into Europe’s energy transition, explore the full report by ember.
What do you think about Europe’s progress in renewable energy? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
Headline:
Revolution in the Skies: Discussing Europe’s historic Shift from Coal too Solar Power with Dr. Amira Al-Sayed, Senior Energy Analyst at Ember
Introduction:
In an unprecedented turn in Europe’s energy landscape, solar power has dethroned coal as the continent’s second largest electricity source. With insights from Ember’s latest report, we invite you to join our conversation with Dr. Amira al-Sayed,a distinguished expert in renewable energy and senior analyst at Ember,as we delve into Europe’s clean energy milestone and the road ahead.
The Paradigm Shift: Solar Power Surpasses Coal
Senior Editor (SE): Dr. Al-Sayed, Europe has reached a important milestone with solar power generating more electricity than coal for the first time in 2024. Can you share your thoughts on this historic moment?
Dr. Amira Al-Sayed (DAAS): Absolutely. This is a testament to Europe’s commitment to its clean energy transition. We’re seeing solar power stepping up as a major player, producing 11% of the EU’s electricity last year, while coal accounted for only 10%.It’s a remarkable shift, especially considering coal was once the dominant force driving Europe’s industrialization.
SE: Beatrice Petrovich,co-author of Ember’s report,noted that solar is the “rising star” while coal is the “dirtiest” source. How did we get to this point, and what factors contributed to this shift?
DAAS: Europe’s decline in coal usage is part of a broader trend towards cleaner energy sources. Policies like the EU’s Renewable Energy directive and market dynamics, such as the increasing affordability of renewables, have driven this transition.Additionally, the fallout from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine accelerated Europe’s pivot towards renewable energy, as countries sought to secure new energy suppliers and reduce dependency on fossil fuels.
The Rise of Renewables and the Decline of coal
SE: The report highlights Europe’s overall increase in renewable energy consumption.How is this growth affecting the energy landscape,and what other factors are at play?
DAAS: The rise of renewables,particularly wind and solar,is transforming Europe’s energy mix. In 2024, these two sources combined accounted for 29% of the EU’s electricity generation. Factors like the decreasing costs of renewables, supportive policies, and public pressure for climate action are driving this growth.Simultaneously occurring, coal’s share continues to decline, with major coal-reliant countries like Germany and Poland reducing their usage substantially.
Policy and Market forces Driving Change
SE: What role have policy measures and market forces played in Europe’s clean energy transition, and how have they contributed to the decline of coal and the rise of renewables?
DAAS: Policy and markets have been crucial in enabling renewables to drive down the shares of both coal and natural gas. the EU’s REPowerEU plan, in response to the Russia-Ukraine conflict, is an excellent example of how policy can accelerate the adoption of renewables. Market forces, such as the decreasing costs of renewables compared to fossil fuels, have also made clean energy an increasingly attractive option.
The Road Ahead: Challenges and Opportunities
SE: While Europe’s progress is commendable, what challenges lie ahead, and how can the continent sustain its momentum in the clean energy transition?
DAAS: Europe must address the intermittency of solar and wind energy by investing in storage solutions like batteries and smart meters. educated planning will be crucial to maintain the growth pace and reach the 2030 target of 750GW of solar capacity. Additionally, innovation in areas such as grid modernization and sector coupling will be vital to ensure a lasting and secure energy future.
Europe’s Leadership in Global Clean Energy Transition
SE: How dose Europe’s success in clean energy compare to other major economies, and what lessons can other regions learn from the continent’s experience?
DAAS: Europe is certainly taking the lead in its clean energy transition, with renewables providing affordable, secure, and clean air benefits.While wind and solar are growing globally,coal continues to expand in some regions,and natural gas remains dominant in others. Europe’s experience offers valuable insights into the power of policy, innovation, and collective action in addressing the climate crisis.
SE: Dr. Al-sayed, thank you for joining us today and sharing your expert insights on Europe’s historic shift from coal to solar power. Your work at Ember plays a crucial role in shaping the continent’s energy future.
DAAS: Thank you. It’s been a pleasure. Let’s continue to encourage and support the clean energy transition to address the pressing challenges we face.
To learn more about Europe’s energy transition, explore Ember’s full report: European Electricity Review 2025.
