EU fossil generation hits a record low in the first half of 2023

The European Union’s reliance on fossil fuels for electricity generation collapsed in the first half of 2023, falling to the lowest level on record.

According to a report by Ember, a climate think tank, fossil fuels generated 410 terawatt hours (TWh) of electricity in the EU between January and June, making up just 33% of demand. This is the lowest share of fossil fuels in EU electricity generation since at least 2000.

Coal generation decreased by a staggering 23% year-on-year, compared to 13% for gas. Coal accounted for less than 10% of the EU’s electricity generation for the first time ever in May, with May and June the two lowest coal months on record.

The drop in fossil fuel use was Europe-wide, with a fall of at least 20% in eleven countries, and more than 30% in five (Portugal, Austria, Bulgaria, Estonia, Finland).

This was driven by a number of factors, including a significant drop in electricity demand, amid persistently high gas and power prices, a reduction in industrial output and emergency measures over winter.

The continued growth of renewable energy also helped, with solar generation increasing by 13% and wind by 5%. Hydro and nuclear power also saw a slight recovery, both of which had seen a decline in generation in 2022.

Matt Ewen, Europe data analyst, at Ember said:

“The decline in fossil fuels is a sign of the times. Coal and gas are too expensive, too risky, and the EU is cutting them out. But we need to see clean power replacing fossil fuels faster. A massive push, especially on solar and wind, is urgently needed to underpin a resilient economy across Europe.”