Renewable electricity generation widens the gap with fossil-fired generation

In the first half of 2024, wind and solar photovoltaic electricity generation in the European Union continued to outstrip fossil-fired generation. While electricity consumption rose by 0.7% in the first half of the year (+9 TWh), wind generation increased by 9.5% (+21 TWh) and photovoltaic generation by 20% (+23 TWh). Their share of the EU's electricity mix has thus risen from 27% in the first half of 2023 to 30% in the first half of 2024. Adding hydroelectricity (+21%, +33TWh), renewable energies have covered 50% of the European Union's electricity needs. Fossil-fired generation fell by 17% (-71 TWh) in the first six months of the year, following a 19% drop in 2023. Production from coal and gas now accounts for just 27% (343 TWh) of electricity generation, compared with 33% over the same period last year.