Solar energy has overtaken coal in Europe as a source of electricity

Renewable energies (hydro, solar, wind) contributed 47% of the European Union's electricity needs in 2024. The share of fossil fuels in European electricity production fell from 39% in 2019 to 29% in 2024. Solar power, with a market share of 11.1%, is ahead of coal (9.8%). Nuclear power accounts for 23.7% of European electricity production, compared with 15.7% for gas. Installed battery capacity has risen from 8 GW in 2022 to 16 GW in 2024.