Solar Energy Surges Ahead in EU Power Mix for the First Time

In a significant development for renewable energy within the European Union, solar power has surpassed all other energy sources for electricity generation in June for the very first time. This shift is attributed to favorable weather conditions and the expansion of solar capacity, allowing solar energy to meet the high demand during recent heatwaves.

According to research from the think tank Ember, solar energy accounted for 22% of the electricity generated in the EU last month, narrowly eclipsing nuclear energy, which contributed 21.8%. Following these two, wind energy provided 15.8%, natural gas 14.4%, and hydropower 12.8%. Coal's share has dwindled to a mere 6.1% of the total electricity production.

The report highlighted that a record-setting output of solar energy was achieved in thirteen countries, including Belgium, Germany, and France, among others. This surge in solar generation has been largely credited to the ongoing development of solar installations and particularly favorable weather in June. Just a year ago, solar energy was significantly lagging behind nuclear power, maintaining a gap of about five percentage points during the summer months.

While wind energy typically experiences a seasonal decline during the summer, it also reached new highs this June, contributing 15.8% to the EU's electricity mix. This represents a remarkable recovery from the lower outputs seen in the spring months, which were hindered by a lack of wind. The advancements in wind power generation, combined with the improving weather conditions, have led to unprecedented contributions in May and June.

The overall electricity consumption in the EU has also seen an uptick, with a 2.2% increase in the first half of the year compared to the previous year. This growth underscores the rising demand for energy as the continent continues to transition towards more sustainable sources.