Europe is turning away from coal and Russian gas: an overview of the EU electricity sector

A new report by Ember analysts “European Electricity Sector Outlook 2025” reveals key achievements and trends that are contributing to the transformation of the EU energy landscape. The Ukrainian Wind Energy Association has prepared an overview of the document.

Solar and wind overtake fossil fuels

In 2024, solar energy production in the EU exceeded coal generation for the first time. Over the past 10 years, solar power capacity has more than tripled. Wind power is not lagging behind – wind farm energy production has doubled over the same period, reaching 477 TWh in 2024.

In general, the share of fossil fuels in the EU energy mix has decreased to 29%. This is the lowest figure in the last 40 years. Renewables already provide 47% of all electricity in the EU. Solar and wind power are replacing coal and gas, even as the share of nuclear power is declining.

Between 2010 and 2021, the cost of European onshore wind power fell by 68% and offshore wind power by 60%, making these technologies much more affordable.

“Green” reforms in the EU

To accelerate the transition to clean energy, EU governments have implemented a number of important reforms. For example, the time for obtaining permits for the construction of onshore wind farms has been reduced from 6 to 2 years. In Germany, this has already yielded results: in 2024, 12 GW of new wind power capacity was approved, which is 60% more than in the previous year.

At the same time, a record 28 GW of new wind power capacity was contracted across the EU in the 2024 auctions, and orders for turbines increased by 40%.

Renewables as a way of independence from Moscow

Thanks to the rapid development of renewable energy, the EU has avoided fossil fuel imports worth €59 billion over the past 5 years. If not for the new wind and solar power capacities, the EU would have had to import an additional 92 billion cubic metres of gas and 55 million tonnes of coal, which would have resulted in an additional 460 million tonnes of CO₂.

Despite the increase in gas consumption in 2024, the EU’s dependence on Russian fuel has decreased significantly. Currently, the share of Russian gas is only 12% of the total gas consumption in the EU energy sector, which brought the aggressor only €4 billion in revenue – significantly less than 5 years ago.

Thanks to reforms and advances in technology, the EU is moving towards a complete rejection of Russian energy resources, while preserving the planet for future generations.