By Newsbase Build-out of solar and wind power has accelerated Europe’s energy transition WHAT: The EU saw solar power surpass coal as a source of power for the first time in 2024. WHY: Falling costs of solar panels helped the EU install a record amount,

Solar overtook coal in the European Union's electricity production in 2024, with the share of renewables rising to almost half the bloc's power sector, according to a report released Thursday. "Solar remained the EU's fastest-growing power source in 2024,

Solar generated 11% of EU electricity in 2024, overtaking coal which fell below 10% for the first time, according to the European Electricity Review published today by think tank Ember.

The European Union's solar power generation has surpassed coal for the first time, driven by the Russian energy crisis and a push for renewable energy sources, but challenges remain in phasing out fossil fuels entirely.

In a landmark shift, solar energy has officially overtaken coal in the EU’s electricity mix for the first time. Last yer solar contributed 11% of the EU’s power, surpassing coal’s 10%, according to Ember’s European Electricity Review. This milestone highlights the rapid transition towards renewables in the region.

Solar energy surpassed coal for the first time in 2024, with Greece ranking among the EU’s leaders in solar share.

Europe has achieved a landmark in clean energy: solar power generation surpassed coal in 2024, despite increased electricity demand.

The surge in solar, now the European Union's fastest growing energy source, came as capacity additions hit a record high last year.

Trump is also staffing his agencies with pro-coal administrators. The Energy Department last week rehired Steve Winberg, who was an assistant DOE secretary during Trump’s first term and is CEO of a group that supports retrofitting existing coal plants with carbon capture.

Solar generation provided 11% of the EU’s electricity mix in 2024, up from 9.3% in 2023, and overtook coal, which fell to less than 10% for the first time in decades, the study found . Gas use dropped marginally, making up 15.7% of power generation in 2024.

PARIS - Solar power overtook coal in European Union electricity production for the first time in 2024, with the share of renewables rising to almost half the bloc’s power sector, according to a report released on Jan 23.

“Solar remained the EU’s fastest-growing power source in 2024, rising above coal for the first time. Wind power remained the EU’s second-largest power source, above gas and below nuclear.