Solar Tops EU Electricity Mix June First Time

In June 2025, solar power became the largest source of electricity in the European Union for the first time, generating 22.1% of the bloc's electricity and surpassing nuclear and wind power. This milestone was driven by record solar generation in at least thirteen EU countries, supported by sunny weather and significant capacity additions over recent years, with countries like the Netherlands and Greece achieving notably high solar shares. Wind power also set new records in May and June, contributing around 16% of electricity, while coal's share fell to an all-time low of 6.1%, with countries like Germany, Poland, and Spain hitting historic lows or nearing coal phase-out. Despite these gains in renewables, fossil fuel use in the first half of 2025 rose 13% compared to the previous year, mainly due to increased natural gas use compensating for reduced hydro and wind output caused by droughts and weak wind conditions earlier in the year. Electricity demand also increased by 2.2% in the first half of 2025, underscoring the need for enhanced battery storage and grid flexibility to extend renewable energy use beyond peak sunlight hours and reduce fossil fuel dependence further. Analysts emphasize that the rapid growth in solar and wind power reflects a significant transformation of Europe's energy landscape during periods of high demand such as summer heatwaves.