Wind and Solar Power Surpass Other Sources in the EU Electricity Mix in 2022
BOSS Energy Consulting
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As the world continues to battle climate change and the associated environmental challenges, the EU has made significant strides in increasing the share of renewable energy sources in its electricity mix.
In 2022, for the first time ever, wind and solar power surpassed all other sources of electricity in the European Union, providing a record-breaking one-fifth of the total electricity consumed. This achievement was announced by the climate think-tank Ember , which analyzed the electricity generation data for the year.
The success of wind and solar power can be attributed to the record additions of new renewable energy capacity, which filled the gap created by the triple crisis of restricted Russian gas supplies, reduced hydroelectricity due to drought, and unexpected nuclear outages. The shortfall in electricity was filled with solar and wind power, while the falling electricity demand accounted for the rest.
The stagnant growth of coal over the past year has also been welcome news for the renewable energy industry. The transition to renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar, has become a critical component of the EU's plans to decarbonize its economy and reduce its reliance on fossil fuels.
According to Ember's analysis, solar generation across the continent rose by nearly a quarter in 2022. This increase helped Europeans to avoid €10bn in gas costs. Furthermore, over two-thirds of Europe recorded new records in solar generation, including the Netherlands, Spain, and Germany.
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