Fossil fuels plunged to record lows, supplying just 23% of the EU's electricity mix in April, according to a report by London-based energy think tank Ember on Friday.
The European Electricity Review report showed that this new record exceeded the previous one, which was achieved in May of last year at 27%.
Last year, fossil fuels generated less than a third of the EU’s electricity, specifically 33% for the first time, while solar and wind reached a record 27%.
The report showed that both coal and gas fell sharply, with coal generation contributing just 8.6% to the electricity mix while falling 30% compared to the same month last year.
Meanwhile, gas generation supplied only 12.1% of the total, marking a 22% year-on-year decline.
Germany witnessed the largest fall in fossil fuel generation within the EU, the report noted. Compared to last April, the country saw a 26% drop, contributing 32% to the EU's overall reduction.
The report revealed that wind and solar power shattered records in April 2024, reaching a new high of 34% while generating over a third of the EU's electricity for the first time.
Overall, renewables produced 54% of the EU’s electricity in April, it added.
According to the report, the EU is pivoting towards renewables despite rising electricity demand. “While fossil generation dropped by 18% year-on-year for the first four months of 2024, wind and solar generation increased by 14% compared to the same period last year,” the report said.
Fueled by a surge in renewables, the EU’s power sector emissions were down 18% year-on-year between January and April this year.
Commenting on the report, Sarah Brown, Ember’s Europe program director, said, “The once unthinkable is happening before our eyes.”
“Fossil fuels are on the way out of Europe’s power sector,” Brown added. “Solar and wind have stepped up as the main players, proving they are ready to take on their role as the backbone of the modern clean electricity system.”
By Handan Kazanci
Anadolu Agency
energy@aa.com.tr