New findings from energy think tank Ember have revealed that Europe’s electricity system reached a turning point in 2025 as renewable energy sources supplied just under half of all power generated across the European Union. The figures highlight how rapidly the bloc’s power mix is evolving, even as fossil fuels continue to influence prices and short-term supply decisions.
Over the course of the year, renewables accounted for 48% of total EU electricity production. Wind and solar were the main drivers of that shift, together delivering 30% of the bloc’s power. That combined output was enough to move past fossil fuels, which slipped to a 29% share, marking the first time wind and solar collectively produced more electricity than coal, oil, and gas. Solar power played a particularly visible role in 2025.
It contributed 13% of annual electricity generation and reached a milestone in June when it briefly became the EU’s largest single source of power. Ember analysts say that moment reflected years of steady capacity additions finally translating into system-wide impact. Beatrice Petrovic, one of the report’s authors, said the results show how quickly the EU is restructuring its energy system.
She argued that expanding wind and solar capacity is increasingly tied to economic and geopolitical stability, especially as fossil fuel reliance continues to expose countries to volatile global markets. Unfavorable weather conditions added complexity to the picture. Hydropower output fell 12% compared with the previous year, while wind generation declined by 2%.
Those shortfalls led to greater use of gas-fired power plants, pushing gas generation up by 8% year on year. Despite that increase, Ember notes that gas use in the power sector remains lower than in previous years and continues to trend downward overall.
Greater reliance on gas also came with higher costs. Rising prices drove EU gas import spending to €32 billion ($37.9bn) in 2025, a 16% increase from the year before and the highest level since the 2022 energy crisis, with Italy and Germany facing the largest bills. During peak demand periods, when gas plants often determine market prices, average electricity prices across the EU were 11% higher than in 2024.
Coal’s role in the European Union’s energy mix continued to shrink in 2025. Its share of electricity generation fell to 9.2%, a new historic low. Ten years ago, coal made up nearly a quarter of the EU power mix. Today, 19 member states report coal usage at zero or below 5%, underscoring how quickly it has been phased out in much of the bloc.
Petrovic said the next priority should be reducing dependence on imported gas, warning that it leaves the EU vulnerable to price shocks and political pressure. While renewables now form the backbone of Europe’s electricity system, the report concludes that investments in grids, storage, and flexibility will be critical to turning clean energy growth into long-term price stability.
As more data confirms the viability of grid-scale renewables like solar energy, firms like Turbo Energy S.A. (NASDAQ: TURB) could find themselves witnessing explosive growth in the number of clients they work with.
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