The European Electricity Review 2025, published by Ember on 23 January 2025, analysed electricity generation and demand data in all EU countries for the year 2024.
It found that growth in renewables has reduced the EU’s fossil fuel import bill and its vulnerability to imported gas, but progress needs to be accelerated between now and 2030.
Key Takeaways
- The EU energy transition maintained momentum in 2024, despite “challenging political and economic conditions”.
- Solar accounted for 11% of the EU electricity share, overtaking coal for the first time.
- Gas declined for the fifth year in a row.
- Avoided fossil fuel import costs amounted to €59bn (due to new wind and solar since 2019).
- The decline of coal and gas reduced EU power sector emissions to below half their 2007 peak.
Policy Recommendations
The report recommends that the EU builds on the momentum of its electricity transition by adopting policies that will provide energy security and competitiveness for future generations. Such policies should include sustaining wind and solar growth, clean flexibility (balancing supply and demand to maintain grid stability), electrification, and more.
Black Carbon Media 