A historic breakthrough in the EU. Wind and solar defeated fossil fuels for the first time

In 2025, wind and solar generated approximately 30% of energy in the EU. energy, for the first time more than fossil fuels, whose share was 29%. – according to the annual Ember report. In Poland, coal has fallen to a historic low, and wind and solar already account for over 25%. energy production.

Wind and solar with records in energy production

“In 2025, wind and solar generated a record 30 percent of electricity in the EU, overtaking fossil fuels (29 percent) for the first time. In Poland, coal has fallen to historic lows and accounts for just over half of the energy mix, while wind and solar reached a record share of over 25 percent.” – according to the European Electricity Review report published by the Ember analytical center.

The report, which analyzes full annual data on electricity production and consumption in all 27 EU countries, shows that Renewable energy sources account for almost half of the energy in the EU (48%).and photovoltaics is growing particularly dynamically.

“The advantage of wind and solar over fossil fuels in 2025 is largely due to this solar energy surge. Production from photovoltaics increased by over one fifth (+20.1%), reaching a record share of 13%. in the EU energy mix – more than coal or hydropower,” it was written in the information about the report.

It was noted that this trend was common: all EU countries recorded an increase in solar energy production year-on-year, thanks to the boom in PV installations.

2025 was another RECORD-breaking year for the EU energy transition.

🇪🇺 Wind and solar overtook fossil fuels in the EU electricity mix
🇪🇺 Wind and solar surpassed fossils in 14 of 27 EU countries' electricity mix
🇪🇺 Solar grew by a record 20% last yearhttps://t.co/Xc3t0VEw14 pic.twitter.com/NgVMjokJVD

— Ember (@ember_energy) January 23, 2026

Structural change across the EU

“The sun provided more than one fifth of electricity in Hungary, Cyprus, Greece, Spain and the Netherlands. Renewable sources provided almost half of the energy in the EU (48%), despite unusual weather conditions that reduced hydropower production by 12% and wind production by 2% (compared to 2024), but supported photovoltaics. Wind remained the second largest source of energy in the EU (17%). percent), generating more energy than gas,” it was pointed out.

It added that signs of structural change are visible across the EU: wind and solar will generate more energy than all fossil fuels in 14 out of 27 countries in 2025. Within five years, their share in the EU increased from 20%. (2020) up to 30 percent (2025), while the share of fossil fuels decreased from 37%. up to 29 percent

Hydropower and nuclear remained stable or declined slightly.

The report notes Poland

The authors of the report drew attention to historical coal minimums in Poland and Germany.

“Coal continued its rapid decline, dropping to 9.2 percent of the EU mix in 2025 – a record low. In 19 EU countries, the share of coal ranges from zero to 5 percent. It fell even in the largest coal countries – Germany and Poland – reaching historic lows,” it wrote.

The report noted that photovoltaics is still growing dynamically in Poland, which, together with wind energy, already accounted for 25% in 2025. energy mix.

It was also emphasized that Poland is at the forefront of plans for the development of energy storage facilities, although so far they have developed only to a small extent, but storage facilities would allow for better use of energy from renewable energy sources.

“Paradoxically, Poland is one of the largest exporters of energy storage facilities in the world, but in terms of their installation in the country, we are behind Europe. The coming years and a large portfolio of ongoing projects may change this, and this is an opportunity to strengthen the country's energy security and further develop our battery industry,” said Paweł Czyżak, director of the European program at Ember, quoted in the press release about the report.

Gas consumption drops

The authors of the report also indicated that gas production increased by 8% in the EU. in 2025, mainly due to lower hydropower production.

“Despite this, gas consumption continues to decline in the long term and in 2025 it was 18% below the peak in 2019. The increase in gas consumption in 2025 raised the gas import bill for the EU energy sector to EUR 32 billion (+16% compared to 2024). This is the first increase in gas import costs since the energy crisis in 2022 – Italy and Germany paid the most,” it wrote.

It added that peak gas consumption hours fueled spikes in electricity prices, and average prices during these hours increased by 11% in the EU. compared to 2024. (PAP Business)

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