Solar power has overtaken coal in the European Union’s electricity mix for the first time ever, according to a report released Jan. 23 by the energy think tank Ember. However, the success of solar in the EU is significantly benefiting Chinese manufacturers.
How much of the EU’s energy total did solar and coal account for?
Solar energy, now the EU’s fastest-growing power source, accounted for 11% of the bloc’s electricity in 2024, up from 9.3% the previous year. In contrast, coal’s share fell below 10%, the lowest level recorded since Ember began tracking the data in 2011.
Chris Rosslowe, the lead author of the Ember report, noted that the reduced reliance on coal and gas has saved the EU an estimated nearly $62 billion in fossil fuel imports since 2019.
Why does this surge in EU solar capacity benefit China?
China has played a central role in the EU’s solar success, supplying around 95% of the bloc’s solar panels. In an attempt to combat this trend, the EU has set a nonbinding target of achieving 40% self-sufficiency in solar panel production by 2030.
However, some experts warn that pursuing such a strategy could increase solar panel costs, slow the deployment of new capacity and lead to an industry heavily dependent on subsidies.
