Last year was the first year in which more electricity in Europe was generated from the combination of wind, sun, and biomass than from coal. The combination of all clean energy sources (which adds hydropower to the mix) surpassed coal several years ago.
It was not long ago that coal was the dominant source of energy for generating electricity. In many places during the 20th century, coal produced 80% of electric power. But in Europe, nuclear power gradually assumed the greatest share and, in fact, is still the largest single source of electricity generation at roughly 26% of the total.
The power mix in Europe has been changing rapidly over the past decade. In 2010, solar and wind power together accounted for just 5% of generation in Europe. Last year, they totaled 15% and are still growing rapidly. Over that same period, the total fossil fuel contribution dropped from 52% to 44%.
Among renewables, wind power alone overtook hydropower for the first time last year. The same switch is expected to happen in the U.S. this year or next.
The growth in renewables has been matched by falling coal output. Coal is up against air pollution regulations, ageing capacity, stagnant demand, and strong competition from natural gas. The UK is among five EU member states that have announced total coal phase outs. These include France, Italy, the Netherlands, Denmark and Portugal. Even coal-rich Germany is discussing a coal phase out.
Only nuclear power has remained a constant feature of European power, but old reactors are gradually closing down without replacements and some countries – notably Germany – are phasing it out entirely.
Europe continues its evolution toward clean power.
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The EU got less electricity from coal than renewables in 2017
Photo, posted May 15, 2015, courtesy of Flickr.
‘European Renewables Beat Coal’ from Earth Wise is a production of WAMC Northeast Public Radio.
Thank you for working to increase awareness that to protect the earth and human health we need to transition to CLEAN energy. In the audio version of this broadcast, there was a more thorough description of the ways in which Europe has been phasing our coal (and attemting to comply with the Paris Accords); the written version does not mention ALL the means in which Europe has been replacing coal –specifically biomass. It is an illusion that burning biomass is clean and it is a misguided and dangerous loophoe that allows countries to pollute the atmoshere with black carbon, thereby CONTRIBUTING to climate change! It is certainly not in the same category as wind, solar, and geothermal, i.e., CLEAN, renewable energy. Another disturbing fact is that to feed Europe’s furnaces, our old-growth forests are being harvested wholesale, also accelerating climate change. It is a frightening trend that Europe is now re-purposing coal-burning plants to burn yet another heavily polluting fuel. PLease helpt to set the record straight. Thank you