Renewable energy now powers nearly half of the European Union’s electricity consumption, marking an era of significant environmental transition. According to data from Eurostat, renewables accounted for 47.5% of gross electricity consumption in 2024 — a remarkable climb from just 15.9% in 2004.
Accelerating Growth Since 2004
Over the past two decades, the share of renewables in the EU’s energy mix has surged by almost 30 percentage points. The increase to 47.5% in 2024, up by 2.1 percentage points from the previous year, underscores a vigorous commitment to transitioning away from fossil fuels. Wind and hydropower dominate this renewable generation, jointly representing nearly two-thirds of all renewable-sourced electricity.
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Uneven Regional Progress
Despite overall gains, the distribution of renewable energy remains uneven across the bloc. Cyprus, for instance, recorded only 24.1% renewable energy use in 2024 — paralleling Hungary’s performance. In contrast, northern and western EU nations are significantly ahead. Austria leads with an impressive 90.1% of electricity generated from renewable sources, primarily hydropower, while Sweden and Denmark follow closely, with contributions largely from wind and hydro.
Solar Power’s Remarkable Ascent
Among all renewable sources, solar power has experienced the fastest growth. In 2008, solar energy contributed a mere 1% to the renewable mix, with production at 7.4 terawatt hours. By 2024, that figure had soared to 304 terawatt hours — a dramatic increase fueled by substantial investments, improved technologies, and progressive policy frameworks.
Market Leaders And Emerging Challenges
The EU’s renewable landscape now features clear winners and laggards. Austria, Sweden, and Denmark are at the forefront, boasting renewable shares well above the general EU average. Other member states such as Portugal, Spain, Croatia, and Germany have also made significant strides. Conversely, Cyprus, along with Malta, Czechia, Luxembourg, Hungary, and Slovakia, remains below the 25% threshold, illustrating a widening regional gap that calls for targeted policy initiatives.
The disparate pace of renewable integration not only reflects varying national strategies and resource endowments but also highlights the critical need for continued investment and policy support to ensure a harmonized energy transition across Europe.
