2025 Landmark: Wind and Solar Power Outpace Fossil Fuels in the European Union for the First Time

The European Union marked a historic turning point in its energy transition during 2025, as the combined output from solar and wind facilities exceeded the total electricity generated from fossil fuels for the first time. According to the European Electricity Review 2026, a comprehensive report released by the think tank Ember, this shift highlights the rapid pace at which the bloc is moving toward a low-carbon future. During this landmark year, wind and solar installations collectively accounted for a record-breaking 30% of the EU's total electricity production, successfully edging out the 29% share contributed by coal, gas, and oil combined.

Dr. Beatrice Petrovich, a senior analyst at Ember and the report’s primary author, emphasized that this milestone illustrates the EU's swift transition toward a power system anchored by wind and solar energy, particularly as global markets face volatility from fossil fuel reliance. Even with challenging weather patterns in early 2025—which resulted in a 12% dip in hydroelectric output and a 2% decrease in wind generation—renewable sources still managed to provide nearly half (48%) of the EU's electricity. When factoring in nuclear power, which remained stable at approximately 23.4%, the carbon-neutral share of the grid is substantial. Notably, wind energy solidified its position as the second-largest power source in the region, providing 17% of total generation and surpassing natural gas.

A primary driver behind this historic achievement was the explosive growth of solar photovoltaic energy, which contributed 13% of the EU's total electricity in 2025. For the fourth year in a row, solar output surged by more than 20%, reaching an unprecedented volume of 369 TWh. This expansion was observed across the entire bloc, with all 27 member states reporting year-on-year increases in solar production. In specific nations such as Hungary, Cyprus, Greece, Spain, and the Netherlands, solar energy has become a cornerstone of the grid, meeting more than one-fifth of their total electricity requirements.

While coal-fired power continued its long-term structural decline, falling to a record low of 9.2% of the total energy mix, the transition also exposed certain vulnerabilities in the system. To compensate for the shortfall in hydroelectric availability, natural gas generation saw an 8% increase, claiming a 16.7% share of the total production. This reliance on gas to balance the grid came at a significant financial cost; the price of gas imports for the power sector jumped by 16%, reaching a staggering 32 billion euros. Furthermore, wholesale electricity prices during peak demand periods rose by 11% compared to 2024 levels, reflecting the economic pressure of balancing intermittent sources.

Looking ahead, Dr. Petrovich argued that the European Union's top priority must be a decisive reduction in its dependence on expensive imported gas, which poses a risk to energy security amid geopolitical tensions. To mitigate price volatility and ensure a resilient grid, Ember advocates for the rapid deployment of battery energy storage systems. Despite the challenges, the structural transformation of the European energy landscape appears irreversible; in 2025, wind and solar generation surpassed fossil fuels in 14 of the 27 EU member states, signaling a permanent shift in how the continent powers its economy.