The EU's electricity transition has moved faster than anyone could have hoped for, but further progress cannot be taken for granted, experts say. View on euronews

By Newsbase Build-out of solar and wind power has accelerated Europe’s energy transition WHAT: The EU saw solar power surpass coal as a source of power for the first time in 2024. WHY: Falling costs of solar panels helped the EU install a record amount,

The European Union's solar power generation has surpassed coal for the first time, driven by the Russian energy crisis and a push for renewable energy sources, but challenges remain in phasing out fossil fuels entirely.

The area is known as the Land of Fires ('Terra dei Fuochi'), due to the dumping and burning of rubbish and toxic waste which has taken place there for decades. Authorities say the Italian mafia gangs known as the Camorra are behind the burning and dumping as they control waste disposal in the area.

"At the start of the European Green Deal in 2019, few thought the EU's energy transition would be where it is today: wind and solar are relegating coal to the margins and pushing gas into decline." But Rosslowe cautioned much work remains. "We need to ...

Solar energy surpassed coal for the first time in 2024, with Greece ranking among the EU’s leaders in solar share.

Solar generated 11% of EU electricity in 2024, overtaking coal which fell below 10% for the first time, according to the European Electricity Review published today by think tank Ember.

In 2024, China again set a record for the launch of new wind and solar power plants. Europe, which is pushing the climate agenda more aggressively than all other regions of the world, is lagging behind China has quadrupled the rate of commissioning of new green energy capacities.

Promising a "simplification shock", the EU will unveil a much-anticipated blueprint to revamp Europe's economic model on Wednesday, as the bloc struggles to keep up with China and the United States. Commission Vice-President Stephane Sejourne has promised "a simplification shock without affecting environmental targets".

Europe's transition to renewable energy comes at a time when US President Donald Trump, upon inauguration, pulled out of the Paris Agreement aiming to pursue a "drill, baby, drill" energy policy.

Solar power overtook coal in the European Union’s electricity mix for the first time last year, while wind power’s share plateaued, data from energy think tank Ember showed on Thursday.

The surge in solar, now the European Union's fastest growing energy source, came as capacity additions hit a record high last year.