Solar Beats Coal in Europe, Powers 13% of EU Grid

Europe just hit a clean energy milestone that seemed impossible just five years ago.

Solar power generated a record 369 terawatt hours of electricity across the European Union in 2025, powering 13% of the entire continent. That's more than coal and more than hydropower, marking the first time solar has climbed this high in the energy mix.

The numbers tell an incredible story of momentum. Solar production more than doubled since 2020, when it generated just 145 terawatt hours. Every single EU country saw solar generation increase last year, with Hungary leading the pack at 28% of its total power coming from the sun.

But here's where it gets really exciting. For the first time in history, wind and solar combined generated 30% of EU electricity in 2025, edging out fossil fuels at 29%.

In 14 of the EU's 27 member states, clean wind and solar power now produce more electricity than coal, oil, and gas combined. Countries like Denmark, Germany, Spain, and Portugal saw wind and solar supply more than half their electricity during one third of all hours last year.

The Ripple Effect

This shift is happening faster than anyone predicted. Just five years ago, only two EU countries recorded even a single hour where wind and solar accounted for 70% of power generation. In 2025, that number jumped to 19 countries.

The transition is already saving money and reducing dependence on imported energy. While Europe's gas import bill still hit 32 billion euros in 2025, coal power dropped to a historic low of just 9.2% of the energy mix. Nineteen EU countries now generate less than 5% of their power from coal.

Energy analyst Beatrice Petrovich from think tank Ember says the milestone shows how rapidly Europe is moving toward a power system backed by renewables. As global instability continues, she notes, the stakes for transitioning to clean energy have never been clearer.

The EU added 65 gigawatts of new solar capacity last year alone, driving average annual growth of 21% over five years. That's far beyond any other energy source.

The path forward focuses on storage solutions, better power grids, and flexible demand to make the most of abundant renewable energy. Europe is already working on removing barriers to battery deployment and fast tracking permits for cross border power lines.

The sun is powering Europe's future, one solar panel at a time.