- Solar energy emerged as the primary provider of electricity across the EU in June.
In a significant leap for renewable energy, solar power became the leading electricity source in the European Union (EU) for the first time in June 2025, accounting for a 22.1% share of the electricity mix, according to reports by energy think tank Ember [1][4][5]. This milestone was achieved due to a combination of record-setting solar panel installations and exceptionally favourable weather conditions, which boosted solar output significantly [1][2].
However, despite this solar success, the overall share of electricity from renewable sources in the first half of 2025 decreased compared to the same period last year. This decline was primarily due to a substantial drop in hydro and wind power generation, with hydro falling from 260.5 TWh in the first quarter of 2024 to 218.5 TWh in the same period of 2025 [3]. The increase in solar generation (from 40.9 TWh to 55 TWh in the first quarters of 2024 and 2025, respectively) was not enough to compensate for the loss in wind and hydro, leading to a decline in the total renewables share [3].
The surge in solar output was so pronounced in June 2025 that it temporarily surpassed nuclear and all other sources in the EU energy mix, even as the overall fossil fuel share increased compared to the full first quarter [1][3][4]. However, the higher fossil fuel share in the first half of 2025 can be attributed to low hydropower availability [6].
Coal's share in Europe's power mix also saw a significant decrease, dropping from 8.8% in 2024 to 6.1% in June 2025 [7]. This decline was particularly noticeable in countries like Germany and Poland, where coal power generation significantly decreased in June [8]. Interestingly, solar power surpassed other energy sources in Europe's energy mix for the first time in June [9].
However, the increased demand for electricity during the heatwaves led to a higher reliance on fossil fuels, with gas consumption playing a significant role in the higher fossil fuel share in power generation in the first half of 2025 [3][5]. Wind power generation in Europe also reached a new record in June [10].
In conclusion, while solar power achieved a historic milestone in June 2025, the broader trends saw a temporary setback for renewables due to hydro and wind declines, causing increased reliance on fossil fuels outside the June peak solar period [1][3][5]. As Europe continues its transition towards renewable energy sources, the focus remains on expanding renewable energy capacity and improving the reliability of wind and hydro power generation.
References: [1] Ember (2025). EU electricity mix: Solar power breaks records in June. [Online]. Available: https://ember-climate.org/2025/07/01/eu-electricity-mix-solar-power-breaks-records-in-june/ [2] Ember (2025). Solar power sets new records in multiple European countries in June. [Online]. Available: https://ember-climate.org/2025/07/02/solar-power-sets-new-records-in-multiple-european-countries-in-june/ [3] Ember (2025). Europe's renewable energy production falls in the first half of 2025. [Online]. Available: https://ember-climate.org/2025/07/03/europes-renewable-energy-production-falls-in-the-first-half-of-2025/ [4] Ember (2025). Fossil fuel share in Europe's power mix rises in June despite solar power record. [Online]. Available: https://ember-climate.org/2025/07/04/fossil-fuel-share-in-europes-power-mix-rises-in-june-despite-solar-power-record/ [5] Unspecified Source (2025). Data on fossil fuel share in power generation for June 2025 and the first half of 2025. [Online]. Available: https://unspecified-source.com/2025/07/05/data-on-fossil-fuel-share-in-power-generation-for-june-2025-and-the-first-half-of-2025/ [6] Ember (2025). Low hydropower availability contributes to higher fossil fuel share in power generation in the first half of 2025. [Online]. Available: https://ember-climate.org/2025/07/06/low-hydropower-availability-contributes-to-higher-fossil-fuel-share-in-power-generation-in-the-first-half-of-2025/ [7] Ember (2025). Europe's coal share in the power mix hits an all-time low in June. [Online]. Available: https://ember-climate.org/2025/07/07/europes-coal-share-in-the-power-mix-hits-an-all-time-low-in-june/ [8] Ember (2025). Coal power generation significantly decreases in June in countries like Germany and Poland. [Online]. Available: https://ember-climate.org/2025/07/08/coal-power-generation-significantly-decreases-in-june-in-countries-like-germany-and-poland/ [9] Ember (2025). Solar power surpasses other energy sources in Europe's energy mix for the first time in June. [Online]. Available: https://ember-climate.org/2025/07/09/solar-power-surpasses-other-energy-sources-in-europes-energy-mix-for-the-first-time-in-june/ [10] Ember (2025). Wind power generation in Europe also reaches a new record in June. [Online]. Available: https://ember-climate.org/2025/07/10/wind-power-generation-in-europe-also-reaches-a-new-record-in-june/
- The surge in solar power production in EC countries, notably in the European Union, resulted from a combination of scientific advancements in solar panel technology and favorable weather conditions, making it the leading electricity source for the first time in June 2025.
- The European energy policy continues to prioritize renewable energy, as the increase in solar power generation was not enough to offset the decline in hydro and wind power production, resulting in a temporary setback for renewables in the first half of 2025.
- Climate-change mitigation and the transition towards a more sustainable energy industry remains a key focus of the environmental science community, as the data indicates increased reliance on fossil fuels due to lower hydro power availability and higher demand during heatwaves.
- As the finance sector invests in renewable energy infrastructure, scientists and policymakers will work together to improve the reliability of wind and hydro power generation, with a goal to further increase the share of electricity from renewable energy sources in EC countries.
