Renewables become dominant EU power source

• 3 years ago (2021-01-26)
• David Flin

Europe 1068 Renewables 757

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For the first time, renewables are the dominant power source in Europe’s electric grid. As a result of the covid-19 restrictions, energy demand in 2020 fell, and most of that fall came from fossil fuel derived electricity. That helped renewable sources take the biggest share of EU generation, and this portion will continue to grow as it tries to achieve its climate goals.

This is likely to see rapid development. Europe needs to double the share of electricity produced from renewable sources by 2030 if it is to meet a target of reducing emissions at least 55 per cent by 2030 from 1990 levels.

Renewables produced 38 per cent of the EU’s electricity in 2020, up from 34 per cent in 2019. Fossil-powered generation accounted for 37 per cent in 2020.

Wind and solar generation increased about 10 per cent compared to 2019. Coal-fired generation fell 20 per cent, to about half the level it was five years ago. Gas production also fell by about 4 per cent.