Solar Shines Brighter in the EU
In a major step forward, the EU made more power from the sun than from coal in 2024.
There is good news from the European Union. In 2024, for the first time, solar power has overtaken coal-run power as the main source of electricity in EU countries. This is a huge breakthrough in the push for renewable energy.
This milestone comes at a time when renewable energy is more important than ever. It is crucial for lowering our carbon footprint and protecting the planet against climate change. As we continue to transition to greener alternatives, these advancements show that a sustainable future is possible.
Renewable Energy on the Rise
Coal is the oldest way to produce electricity, according to The Guardian. It powered the industrial revolution. However, unfortunately, coal has also been one of the largest sources of pollution heating the planet. Luckily, the climate think tank Ember has recently released a report showing that, in 2024, the share of solar power in EU sources of electricity was 11 percent, surpassing coal, which was below ten percent.
However, it’s not only solar power that is on the rise. As Euronews reports, gas generation has been falling for five years in a row, and wind power created more electricity than gas for the second year in a row.
“The EU is striding closer towards a clean energy future powered by homegrown wind and solar,” Dr. Beatrice Petrovich, a Senior Analyst at Ember, told Euro News. “This new energy system will reduce the bloc’s vulnerability to fossil price shocks, tackle the climate crisis, and deliver affordable energy for its households and companies,” she added.
Hungary, Greece, and Spain Lead in Solar Power
In further good news, the rise of solar power is widespread throughout the EU. Every single EU country has seen growth in the solar energy sector, and more than half of them either don’t use coal or have less than five percent of it in its energy mix.
The countries leading the solar revolution are Hungary, Greece, and Spain. Solar power makes up 25 percent, 22 percent, and 21 percent of the energy mix in these nations, respectively. According to The Guardian, the countries that lag behind and burn the most coal are Germany and Poland. However, even these two countries have improved. The amount of coal used by Germany in its electricity grid saw a 17 percent drop in 2024, while it fell eight percent in Poland.
In order to continue these welcome trends, the authors of Ember’s report suggest a number of strategies including investment in batteries and devices that help with “clean flexibility” such as smart meters that keep the supply of electricity, which goes up and down throughout the day, aligned with demand.
The rise of renewable energy in the EU is a welcome trend. It is proof that, with effort and through legislation, improvements can be made and we can make the changes needed to bring about a cleaner and cooler planet.
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