A new study released by think tank Ember revealed that fossil share in the EU power sector declined from 39% in 2019 to just 29% last year, which is a historic low. In the same interval, renewables have risen from 34% to a record 47%.

Nuclear power plants remained the largest power source, with a share of 23,7%, increasing from 620 TWh in 2023 to 649 TWh last year. “The increased nuclear output can largely be explained by fewer outages in France” , said the report.

Wind power maintained its position as the second largest power source with a 17% share, generating around 477 TWh (470 TWh in 2023) despite less favourable wind conditions. Gas declined for the fifth year in a row, but remained the third largest source with a share of 15,7%.

The decline of coal generation continues, dropping below 10% for the first time in decades, being overtaken by solar power.  Its decline is widespread, occurring in 16 of the 17 Eu states that still use it. However, it remains the backbone of the energy sector in Germany (39% share) and in Poland (34% share.)

Declining fossil fuels caused “EU power sector emissions to fall by 9% to an estimated 585 million tonnes of CO2, less than half their 2007 peak and further reduced reliance on imported fossil fuels”, wrote Ember.