New data from 2024 showed that the European Union for the first time received more power from solar power than coal, showcasing how the transition to renewable energy, part of the European Green Deal, is progressing well, on the face of Donald Trump’s new invitation for more fossil-based energy sources.
Climate think-tank Ember released a report that showed that solar power surpassed coal as an energy source for electricity in the EU. Solar energy accounted for 11% of Europe’s electricity, while coal reached 10%. In general, the report showed that fossil-based energy sources keep declining in the EU, with five consecutive years of decline to an all-time low of 29%. Meanwhile renewable energy sources keep rising fast, reaching 47% in 2024 from 34% in 2019.
According to Ember, the push of the EU towards its Green Deal, unveiled in 2019, plus the war in Ukraine helped accelerating the transition. The war soared prices for Russian gas and sent countries looking for cheaper alternatives, lowering the reliance on Russia. It was calculated in the report that the bloc saved almost $61 billion (€58.6 billion) in fossil fuel imports as it switched to renewable energies.
The report came after European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen said on Tuesday that they are “working with all nations that want to protect nature and stop global warming.” The EU position is in stark contrast with the new US administration. During his inauguration speech, Donald Trump spoke about a “drill, baby, drill” approach during his term. He has already pulled the US from the Paris Agreement on climate and announced that the US should make use of their deep fossil fuel resources. Chris Rosslowe, an expert from Ember, said that Europe’s position will become even more important due to this, poising the EU as a leader on green energy. “It’s about increasing European energy independence, and it’s about showing this climate leadership,” he said.
