According to monthly data from think tank Ember, fossil fuels accounted for just 23% of the EU’s power generation in April, the lowest share ever recorded. The previous record low of 27% was reached in May 2023. The achievement is even more impressive if you factor in the fact that electricity demand “has been on a mild revival since October 2023”.

Generation from fossil fuels reached just 46 TWh, down 24% compared to April 2023. Coal’s share in the power mix reached 8,6%, a record low, while gas provided 12,1% of EU electricity, “its lowest share in at least eight years” according to Ember.

Source: Ember, monthly data, chart by EMBA Power

The massive decline in fossil generation led to record low emissions. The level of emissions in the power sector reached just 38 mt CO2 in April 2024 while the previous record set in May 2023 was 42 mt CO2. 

The largest drop in fossil generation was seen in Germany. The decline of 26%, from 18,17 TWh in April 2023 to 13,39 TWh this year, was largely due to the closure of seven coal fired stations at the end of March 2024. 

April is not an exception but rather the new normal in Europe’s electricity transition. In the first four months this year, fossil generation dropped by 18% year-on-year, while “wind and solar generation increased by 14% compared to the same period last year.” 

As a result, emissions in the EU’s power sector were down 18% while demand increased by 0,4% in the interval between January to April. “This strong start to 2024 is further evidence that the European Union’s electricity transition is in full swing” concluded Ember.