EU Solar & Wind Beat Fossil Fuels for First Time in 2025

For the first time in European history, wind and solar panels produced more electricity than fossil fuels in 2025, marking a turning point in the continent's fight against climate change.

The European Electricity Review 2026 report from energy think tank Ember reveals that wind and solar combined reached 30% of EU electricity generation last year, edging past the 29% from coal and natural gas. Overall, renewable energy sources including hydroelectric power covered nearly half of all electricity generated across the bloc.

Greece emerged as a solar superstar in the transition. The Mediterranean nation ranked third in the entire EU for solar power's share of electricity production, with photovoltaics generating more than 20% of its power. Only Hungary and Cyprus beat Greece's performance, placing it ahead of major solar markets like Spain and the Netherlands.

The Greek achievement looks even more impressive considering the country's coal history. In 2025, Greece recorded its lowest coal use for electricity generation ever, showing how rapidly the nation is shifting away from dirty energy sources.

Solar power broke records across the board. EU photovoltaic generation hit 369 terawatt-hours, representing a growth streak of over 20% annually for four consecutive years. Every single EU member country increased its solar generation compared to 2024, proving the technology's universal appeal.

The Ripple Effect

This clean energy milestone represents more than numbers on a chart. Millions of European homes now run on power that doesn't pump carbon into the atmosphere. Each percentage point shift from fossil fuels to renewables means cleaner air in cities, fewer respiratory illnesses, and tangible progress toward climate goals that once seemed out of reach.

The transition also creates economic opportunities. Solar installation jobs are growing across the continent, and countries like Greece are building new industries around renewable technology. Communities that once depended on coal mining are finding new purpose in the green economy.

Greece's success offers a blueprint for other nations wrestling with energy transitions. The country proved you can dramatically reduce coal dependence while keeping the lights on and even expanding solar's role in the energy mix.

The momentum shows no signs of slowing, with solar capacity continuing to expand across Europe and technology costs falling year after year.