Solar is EU’s biggest power source for the first time ever

Solar became the EU’s largest source of electricity for the first time in June 2025. National records for solar and wind rolled in across EU countries in May and June, pushing coal to an all-time low.

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Solar takes top spot in the EU for the first month ever

In June 2025, solar was the largest source of EU electricity for the first time, with multiple countries producing record amounts of solar power. Wind power in the EU started the summer strongly, with the highest ever generation for the months of May and June.

Solar was the largest power source in the EU for the first month ever in June

Solar power generated 22.1% of EU electricity (45.4 TWh) in June 2025, more than any other power source. This is an increase of 22% from June 2024. In second place was nuclear with 21.8% (44.7 TWh), followed by wind with 15.8% (32.4 TWh).

At least thirteen EU countries set new monthly solar records

Solar reached new highs in the majority of EU countries in June 2025, with at least thirteen countries recording their highest ever month of solar generation. These solar records are largely a result of continuing installations of solar in recent years, alongside stretches of hot and sunny weather. Record solar helped the EU power system to handle higher levels of demand resulting from heatwaves that gripped the continent towards the end of June.

EU wind power sets May and June records, after a difficult start to 2025

This year, wind farms generated 16.6% (33.7 TWh) and 15.8% (32.4 TWh) of EU electricity in May and June respectively, the highest amounts ever in these months. This marks an impressive turnaround from relatively poor wind conditions at the start of the year. While wind conditions were the main driver, new wind capacity has continued to be added since June 2024, with several large offshore wind farms commissioned over this period.

Coal falls to a record low

As a result of high renewable generation, coal generated the lowest ever share of EU electricity in June 2025. Total fossil generation was also low in June, but has increased over the first half of 2025, mainly due to unusually low hydropower and wind generation, and increasing demand.

Coal generated just 6.1% (12.6 TWh) of EU electricity in June 2025, down from 8.8% in June 2024. The two countries that account for the vast majority of EU coal power (79% in June) both saw record lows in June, with Germany generating just 12.4% (4.8 TWh) of its power from coal, and Poland 42.9% (5.1 TWh). Four other countries recorded their lowest ever month of coal generation in June: Czechia (17.9%), Bulgaria (16.7%), Denmark (3.3%) and Spain (0.6%), which is approaching coal phase-out.

Fossil fuels generated 23.6% (48.5 TWh) of EU electricity in June 2025, just above the record low of 22.9% in May 2024. Despite these lows in June, fossil generation in the first half of 2025 was 13% higher (+45.7 TWh) than in the first half of 2024, mainly due to higher levels of gas generation which increased by 19% (+35.5 TWh).

This increase in gas generation in the first half of 2025 is partly explained by lower levels of hydro and wind generation in the first half of 2025 compared to a year earlier. The ongoing drought meant that the cumulative share of hydro in the power mix from January until June fell to 12.5% (164 TWh), a 15% decrease compared to the same period last year.

Electricity demand as a whole continues its upwards trajectory. In the first half of 2025 the EU consumed 1,313 TWh of electricity, a 2.2% increase over last year. Five out of the first six months in 2025 saw higher demand than the same month in 2024.

Europe is becoming a solar powerhouse. European nations are harnessing the abundant resources of sunshine and wind like never before. The growth of low-cost renewables is gradually getting Europe’s energy system off the rollercoaster of fossil energy prices. The big opportunity now comes from adding battery storage and flexibility to extend the use of renewable power into mornings and evenings, where fossil fuels still set high power prices.

Chris Rosslowe
‍Senior Energy Analyst, Ember