The latest statistics prove that the European Union has reached a historic turning point in the battle to decarbonize energy. Wind and solar Electricity generation from wind and solar power combined has now overtaken fossil fuels! This incipient shift is a sign of profound change in the region’s energy landscape. Over this time period, the share of fossil fuels has decreased from 37% to 29%.
Together, wind and solar energy generated more electricity than any one single fossil fuel source, including natural gas, in 2025. This great news happened in over half of the EU member states. Along with a growing public demand for action, this transition marks an impressive and important shift. Last year, renewables provided almost half (48%) the countries’ electricity—a clear signal of unwavering loyalty to clean energy alternatives.
Coal, which used to be the dominant energy source in the EU until 2015, has had its contribution drop off a cliff. Just a decade ago, coal was producing almost a quarter of the EU’s electricity. By 2023, meanwhile, it has plummeted to a mere 9.2%, hitting a record low. To their credit, 19 of these countries already produced either none or under 5% of their electricity from coal. This decline is further testament to the EU’s work to reduce coal-fired generation.
Wind energy has undoubtedly become the second-largest source of electricity in the EU on solid ground. As of 2021, it was now generating an astounding 17% of its total output. Solar generation has had an incredible year though, growing by more than 20% for the fourth year in a row. In 2025, it provided a historic 13% of the EU’s electricity.
Despite these gains, some challenges remain. Wind generation saw a minor 2% decline, as hydroelectric output fell by 12% owing to a hydrologically atypical year. Gas-fired power generation increased by 8% over last year. Of all EU Member States, Italy and Germany were the highest spenders on gas imports.
Beatrice Petrovich, an energy analyst, commented on the EU’s progress, stating, “This milestone moment shows just how rapidly the EU is moving towards a power system backed by wind and solar.”
This ongoing transformation reflects not only the EU’s commitment to reducing carbon emissions but its strategic response to the changing global energy market. The more member states that embrace renewable technologies, the better and the faster this transition to a greener, stronger European energy landscape continues to be.