Renewable energy became Europe’s largest power source for the first time in 2022. Wind and solar energy together accounted for 22% of power in the European Union in 2022, which is a new record, making renewables the EU’s largest power source for the first time. The figure comes from a report by energy research organisation Ember, which says the rise in renewables is the beginning of a “massive scale up” of clean energy in Europe.
Europe gets its power from a number of sources including coal, gas, hydro, nuclear, wind, and solar. Fossil fuel power (coal and gas) rose 3% in 2022 but is expected to fall by 20% in 2023. Coal usage is already beginning a rapid fall, and Ember’s researchers expect Europe’s gas shortage – driven by the Ukraine war – will accelerate gas falls as well. “Europe is hurtling towards a clean, electrified economy,” said Ember’s Head of Data Insights Dave Jones. “Change is coming fast”.
