Monthly data from energy think tank Ember revealed that in May, emissions from fossil fuels in the EU power sector reached just 37,26 mt CO2, a new record low, slightly down from the previous record of 37,8 mt CO2 reached in April.

As expected, coal was the largest source of emissions, generating 17,21 mt CO2. However, coal generation stood at 16,58 TWh, bringing its share in the power mixt to just 8,44%, the lowest ever. The decline is impressive given that in May 2022, coal produced 15% of the EU electricity.

Source: Ember monthly data

Last month, the amount of electricity generated from fossil fuels in the EU totaled 45,26 TWh compared to 151,14 TWh from clean sources. Together, fossil fuels generated just 23,04% of power, a new low and new evidence that the bloc is shifting rapidly to clean energy. 

Wind and solar generated 31,86% of EU electricity in May, which is the second highest share ever after the record 33,62% reached in April 2024. Hydropower output rose to 33,15 TWh increasing its share to 16,88%, the highest since May 2018. 

For the first five months of 2024, fossil fuels generated 292,82 TWh, down 10%  from 355 TWh reached in the same period last year. Meanwhile, clean energy, including nuclear, generated 791 TWh during January-May 2024, increasing by 10% compared to the same period in 2023.