In June, solar power was the largest source of electricity in the European Union for the first time. Solar supplied a record 22% of the power for the 27-country bloc. At least 13 of the countries produced new monthly highs for solar power in June. The Netherlands got more than 40% of its electricity from solar power and Greece 35%. Other countries with record solar generation included France, Germany, and Sweden.
These solar records are for the most part a result of continuing installations of solar power in recent years as well as long stretches of hot and sunny weather.
Across the EU, nuclear power was the second largest source of electricity, followed by wind, natural gas, and hydropower. Coal generated only 6% of the EU’s electricity, a new monthly low. In fact, 15 countries in the EU don’t use any coal to generate electricity at all, including Austria, Belgium, and Ireland, which shut down its last coal plant in June. All fossil fuels combined generated less than 24% of EU electricity in June, just a little more than the record low of 22.9% set in May, 2024. Natural gas generation was somewhat higher than last year because of lower levels of hydro and wind generation.
Europe has been grappling with brutal heatwaves with triple-digit temperatures in multiple countries. The heatwaves were, of course, accompanied by plentiful sunshine, which at least provided abundant solar power at midday, when there was the greatest demand for air conditioning. This helped to take some of the pressure off the grid and helped to prevent blackouts.
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In a First, Solar Was Europe’s Biggest Source of Power Last Month
Photo, posted May 28, 2025, courtesy of Mike Popp via Flickr.
Earth Wise is a production of WAMC Northeast Public Radio
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