EU surpasses 50% renewable power share for first time in first half of 2024
For the first time ever 50% of public electricity in the EU came from renewables in the first half of 2024, according to Electricity industry association Eurelectric.
The association said Europe was decarbonising at an unprecedented pace, with 74% of power coming from “renewable and low-carbon energy sources,” including nuclear power.
This marks a significant increase compared to a 68% share in 2023.
However, Eurelectric said data on electricity demand was less encouraging.
Due to industry relocating abroad, warmer temperatures, energy savings and slow economic growth, power demand in the EU in the first half of 2023 decreased by 5.1% compared to same period in 2022.
In Germany, renewables covered 58% of gross electricity consumption in the first six months of the year.
Fossil-fuel generation fell 15% in Germany, while generation from brown coal (lignite) fell by 25% – yet it remains the country’s 2nd biggest power source after wind, at 21%.
Wind accounted for 34% of Germany’s public net electricity generation, with 15% coming from solar installations.
Germany is aiming for 80% renewable power in its gross electricity consumption by 2030, with wind considered the most important source.
The increasing electrification of sectors that so far rely on other energy sources, especially heating and transport, are likely to boost the total demand for electricity in the next few years while cutting fossil fuel use.
However, this does not lead to an increased overall energy demand, as conversion losses tend to be lower in electricity-based applications.