According to the Ember report, solar energy accounted for a record 13% of all electricity in the EU, surpassing coal and hydropower. There was a 20.1% increase, especially in countries like Cyprus, Hungary, Greece, Spain, and the Netherlands, where solar generation covers more than 20% of needs.
Wind energy made up 17% of total production, exceeding gas generation figures. In total, renewable energy sources provided nearly half (48%) of all electricity in the EU, despite a 12% decrease in hydropower generation and a 2% drop in wind energy due to unfavorable weather conditions.
Changes in the structure of the European Union's energy system are becoming increasingly noticeable. By 2025, renewable energy surpassed fossil sources in 14 out of 27 countries, and its share grew from 20% to 30% over the past five years. At the same time, the share of fossil fuels decreased from 37% to 29%, while hydropower and nuclear energy remained stable.
The decline in output at hydropower plants and rising gas prices increased fuel import costs. Gas power plants increased their output by 8%, but long-term figures are still 18% below 2019 levels. The EU's gas import expenses reached 32 billion euros, rising by 16% compared to 2024, which particularly affected Italy and Germany. Peak gas consumption hours led to a sharp rise in electricity prices, with average figures increasing by 11% compared to 2024.
Coal energy continued its decline, reaching a historic low of 9.2% in 2025.
Over the past ten years, the share of coal energy has decreased almost fourfold, and in 19 EU countries, coal-fired electricity generation accounts for less than 5%. Even in major coal-producing countries like Germany and Poland, coal generation figures have reached record lows.
“This important moment shows how quickly the EU is moving towards an energy system based on renewable sources,” noted Dr. Beatrice Petrovich, the report's author. According to her, reducing dependence on fossil fuels also decreases geopolitical instability associated with global energy markets.
