EU’s Wind, Solar Generation Rose By 14%, Fossil Fell To 25%

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EMBER, a clean energy think tank recently reported a decline in EU fossil generation to below 25% in a month for the first time ever. The study reported a major milestone for EU in its electricity transition in April 2024. The electricity generation reportedly increased by 0.4% year-on-year over January-April 2023. Meanwhile, wind and solar generation was up 14% compared to the same period last year, with hydro generation increasing 25%.

EMBER found a decline in fossil fuel generation while witnessing a continued recovery of electricity demand. The electricity demand has been on a mild revival since October 2023. It reported a decline in fossil fuels generation for the first time, where it constituted less than a quarter of the EU’s electricity in a single month. The study associated this with a strong wind and solar generation, it added, “In April 2024, the EU’s electricity generation from fossil fuels fell to a record low of 23%. Fossil generation fell sharply compared to April 2023, even as electricity demand increased. This led to a 22% year-on-year fall in power sector emissions.”

The study analyzed, “Wind and solar not only achieved their largest ever share of generation in April 2024, but also the highest total monthly output with 68 TWh, more than the entire annual electricity demand of Czechia or Austria. This was more than double the electricity generated from hydro in the EU, which produced 32 TWh. As a result, wind and solar accounted for 62% of all renewable generation in April 2024.”

EMBER report found “Overall, renewable sources produced over half of EU electricity in April for only the second time ever and achieved a record 54% share. Following heat waves and droughts in previous years, hydropower output rose 28% (+6.9 TWh) compared to April 2023, increasing its share from 12.3% in April 2023 to 15.7% in April 2024. With renewables displacing fossil fuels from the electricity mix, EU power sector emissions were down 18% year-on-year over January-April 2024.”

The study showed, an overall, recovery in the energy mix, where wind and solar growth has a recovery, with hydro driving a fall in fossil generation. In the overall renewable energy share, renewable contributed to the largest ever share of 54%. With wind and solar reached a record high in April 2024. It generated more than a third of EU electricity for the first time. The report found that, while April stands out, it is part of an established shift as Europe’s electricity transition continues to charge ahead, with power sector emissions down 18% in the first four months of 2024, compared to the same period in 2023.

Effect Of RE Use On Electricity Generation

The study found, “In April 2024, the share of EU electricity generation from fossil fuels fell to its lowest point for a single month. Coal, gas and other fossil fuels produced less than a quarter of the EU’s electricity (23%). The previous record low was 27% in May 2023. Last year fossil fuels generated less than a third of the EU’s electricity (33%) for the first time, according to Ember’s European Electricity Review. The decline in fossil fuels has continued to gather pace in 2024. Generation from fossil fuels in April 2024 was down 14.8 TWh (-24%) compared to April 2023. As a result, EU fossil generation reached its lowest monthly level, at 46 TWh.”

The study showed that, “Wind and solar are spearheading the electricity transition. Wind and solar reached a record high in April 2024, generating more than a third (34%) of EU electricity for the first time. The previous record of 31% was set in May 2023. Last year wind and solar generated 27% of the EU’s electricity, for the first time surpassing a quarter, according to Ember’s European Electricity Review. The growth in wind and solar has continued to gather pace in 2024.”