In 2025, the European Union reached a significant energy transition milestone as wind and solar power generated more electricity than fossil fuels for the first time on record, according to Ember’s European Electricity Review. Combined, wind and solar accounted for about 30.1 % of the EU’s electricity production, slightly surpassing fossil fuel generation at around 29 %. This shift reflects a decade-long surge in renewable deployment, particularly record growth in solar output, which grew by over 20 % in 2025 and now supplies a larger share of power than coal and hydro individually, while fossil fuel generation continued its decline, with coal hitting historic lows. Renewables overall supplied nearly half of the EU’s electricity mix last year, underlining a broader move toward cleaner energy sources.

The milestone also underscores the structural transformation of the EU’s electricity system, where 14 of the 27 member states now produce more power from wind and solar than from all fossil sources combined. Despite some weather-related dips in hydro and wind output, the strong performance of solar and continued wind contribution – now ahead of gas in the energy mix – highlights the shifting dynamics of European power generation. However, challenges remain: gas generation increased in response to lower hydro supply, pushing up import costs and energy prices, while the region continues to invest in grid flexibility and storage to better integrate variable renewables.