In the second quarter of 2025, renewable energy sources accounted for over half of the electricity generated in the European Union, with solar power leading the surge. According to Eurostat data, renewables comprised 54% of the EU’s electricity production, an increase from 52.7% in the same quarter the previous year. Notably, solar energy generated approximately 122,317 gigawatt-hours, representing nearly 20% of the total electricity mix. June 2025 marked a significant milestone as solar emerged as the EU’s primary electricity source for the first time, generating 22% of all power that month, surpassing nuclear, wind, hydro, and natural gas.
Several EU member states are nearing complete reliance on renewable energy, with Denmark achieving an impressive 94.7% share of renewables in its electricity generation. Other leading countries include Latvia (93.4%), Austria (91.8%), Croatia (89.5%), and Portugal (85.6%). Conversely, Slovakia (19.9%), Malta (21.2%), and the Czech Republic (22.1%) are lagging in renewable adoption. Overall, 15 EU nations reported significant year-over-year increases in their renewable generation shares, with Luxembourg (+13.5 percentage points) and Belgium (+9.1 points) showing the most considerable growth, largely fueled by advances in solar energy.
The economic landscape is set to transform, particularly for countries markedly reducing their fossil fuel imports over the next decade. This trend could lead to greater economic prosperity in southern European nations, characterized by increased manufacturing, exports, and reduced dependence on fossil fuels. As investments in renewable energy yield strong returns, these countries are expected to thrive.
Across the EU, solar energy accounted for 36.8% of total renewable generation, followed by wind (29.5%), hydro (26%), biomass (7.3%), and geothermal sources (0.4%).