EU Sets Solar Power Record as Primary Electricity Source in June 2025 – EQ
In Short : In June 2025, solar power became the EU’s leading electricity source for the first time, contributing 22.1% of the energy mix and surpassing nuclear and wind. Record sunshine and increased installations in 13 countries drove the surge. However, fossil fuel use rose 13% in H1 2025 due to weak wind and hydro earlier in the year.
In Detail : In June 2025, solar energy became the European Union’s primary source of electricity for the first time, marking a significant milestone in the region’s clean energy transition. According to Ember, a climate think tank, solar accounted for 22.1% of the EU’s electricity generation, surpassing nuclear at 21.8% and wind at 15.8%.
The rise in solar output was largely driven by record sunshine across the continent and a surge in new solar panel installations. Countries such as Germany, Spain, and the Netherlands saw notable increases in generation, contributing to a total solar output of 45.4 terawatt-hours during the month.
This shift reflects broader momentum toward renewables in Europe’s energy mix. Wind energy also performed strongly, hitting its seasonal peak during May and June. Meanwhile, coal usage dropped to a historic low of 6.1%, underscoring the region’s declining reliance on the dirtiest fossil fuel.
Despite these gains, fossil fuel use in the first half of 2025 rose by 13% compared to the previous year. The increase was largely due to higher gas-fired power generation, which compensated for earlier shortfalls in wind and hydropower output during the winter and spring months.
Analysts at Ember emphasized that solar alone cannot carry the burden of clean power generation throughout the year. They pointed to the urgent need for scaling up battery energy storage and improving grid flexibility to ensure consistent, reliable electricity as solar output drops after sunset.
The EU’s achievement in solar generation demonstrates the potential of renewables but also highlights the challenges in maintaining energy security. Continued investment in infrastructure and technology will be essential to reduce fossil fuel dependency and meet long-term climate goals.
