• Renewable energy sources comprised 30% of EU electricity in 2025, surpassing fossil fuels.
• Solar power saw a surge of over 20% for the fourth consecutive year.
• Nuclear energy contributed 20%, while gas generation rose by 8% due to decreased hydropower.
• Fourteen EU countries produced more electricity from renewables than fossil fuels.
• The EU aims for renewables to make up 42.5% of its grid by 2030.

For the first time, wind and solar power have generated more electricity than fossil fuels in the European Union, accounting for 30% of the power mix in 2025, compared to 29% from fossil fuels, according to the energy think tank Ember. This transition marks a significant milestone in the EU's shift towards greener energy sources, with solar power alone contributing 13% of the total generation, reflecting a consistent annual growth rate of over 20% for four consecutive years. Beatrice Petrovich, a senior energy analyst at Ember, highlighted that the growth in renewables is critical as it reduces reliance on fossil fuels which have been linked to geopolitical instability, particularly in light of the ongoing global energy crisis.

The increase in renewable energy generation also reflects a broader trend across Europe; adding in hydroelectric and biomass, the share of renewables in the electricity mix reaches 48%. In this context, nuclear energy has contributed significantly, comprising 20% of the EU's electricity. Despite a rise in gas generation by 8% due to lower availability of hydropower, the shift to renewables signals a decisive move away from coal and gas dependency, with coal use nearing a record low of 9.2% in the power mix.

Several EU nations have reportedly harnessed more electricity from renewables than from fossil fuels. Countries such as Hungary, Cyprus, Greece, Spain, and the Netherlands saw solar power generate over a fifth of their total electricity needs in 2025. This adjustment in the energy landscape comes at a time when the EU is striving to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 55% by 2030, compared to 1990 levels, underscoring the strategic importance of renewable energy expansion.