EU's Solar and Wind Power Just Beat Fossil Fuels for First Time

For the first time ever, Europeans got more of their electricity from sunshine and wind than from burning fossil fuels.

Wind and solar power made up 30% of the European Union's electricity in 2025, edging past the 29% from fossil fuels. Solar panels alone delivered 13% of the bloc's power, jumping more than 20% for the fourth year in a row.

The numbers get even better. Solar generation grew in every single EU country, and five nations now get more than a fifth of their electricity from the sun. Hungary, Cyprus, Greece, Spain and the Netherlands are leading the charge with rooftop panels and solar farms popping up across their landscapes.

Overall, renewable sources provided nearly half of Europe's power at 48%. Wind turbines contributed 17% of electricity, more than gas power plants.

Fourteen EU countries now produce more electricity from wind and solar combined than from all fossil fuels together. That's not a temporary blip. It's a fundamental shift in how Europe powers itself.

Coal is fading fast from the picture. The fossil fuel that powered the Industrial Revolution now represents just 9.2% of EU electricity, a record low. "Coal power is in its terminal decline," said Beatrice Petrovich, the senior energy analyst who led the research at Ember energy think tank. "We could say it's becoming history for the EU."

The Ripple Effect

This energy transformation is spreading benefits beyond cleaner air. Germany, Italy and Poland are rapidly installing battery storage systems to save excess solar power for evening hours when families come home and turn on lights and appliances.

These batteries help stabilize electricity prices and reduce the need for expensive backup gas plants. When solar panels produce more power than needed at noon, batteries store it for the dinner rush.

The shift matters for more than environmental reasons. Every kilowatt hour from European sunshine and wind means one less from imported gas, keeping energy money in local economies instead of flowing to foreign suppliers.

Europe's clean energy milestone shows what's possible when policy meets technology and public support. The continent is proving that running on renewables isn't a distant dream but today's reality.