Renewable energy, with a significant focus on solar power, surpassed traditional methods to become the primary source of electricity in the European Union during the month of June.
In a significant shift for the European Union's energy landscape, solar power emerged as the largest power source in June 2025, accounting for an estimated 22.1% of the EU’s electricity consumption for the month [1][3][4]. This milestone was primarily attributed to two factors: the continuous installation and expansion of solar panels across many EU countries and favourable weather conditions, particularly the intense sunshine during the June 2025 heatwaves [1][3].
The expansion of solar capacity, a result of years of investment and development, significantly increased the overall solar power potential in the EU. During the heatwaves, this potential was harnessed to unprecedented levels, with solar output reaching approximately 45.4 terawatt hours (TWh) [1][3].
At least 13 EU countries set new records for solar generation in June, responding to the higher electricity demand caused by the heatwaves and increased air conditioning use. This surge in solar power helped European electrical grids manage the stress of increased demand without compromising supply [1][3].
The growth of solar power and its record share in power production led to a decrease in the reliance on fossil fuels, which typically face greater economic and environmental pressures during peak renewable generation periods [1][3]. Favourable electricity prices from renewables and imports from countries with abundant wind and hydro further disadvantaged fossil fuel generation in some markets such as Germany [2].
However, it's important to note that the overall share of fossil fuels in power production did not decrease in June 2025. Despite this, the share of coal in Europe's power generation remained at an all-time low, estimated at 6.1 percent [1][3].
The rise of solar power, alongside strong contributions from nuclear (21.8%) and wind power (15.8%), has set the stage for a cleaner energy future for the EU. This milestone marks a significant step forward in the EU's clean energy transition goals [1][3][4].
Sources: [1] Reuters (2025). Solar power overtakes coal in Europe for first time. [Online] Available at: https://www.reuters.com/business/solar-power-overtakes-coal-europe-first-time-2025-07-01/ [2] BloombergNEF (2025). European electricity market trends in June 2025. [Online] Available at: https://about.bnef.com/insights/european-electricity-market-trends-in-june-2025/ [3] European Commission (2025). Monthly electricity statistics for June 2025. [Online] Available at: https://ec.europa.eu/energy/en/topics/electricity/monthly-electricity-statistics [4] International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) (2025). Solar power in Europe: a new dawn. [Online] Available at: https://www.irena.org/publications/2025/Solar-Power-in-Europe-A-New-Dawn
- The expansion of solar power in the European Union, driven by investment and development in employment policies, significantly increased the potential of renewable energy and contributed to the achievement of environmental-science goals.
- The increase in solar power generation, bolstered by favorable weather conditions and climate-change mitigation measures, led to a decrease in the demand for fossil fuels and a parallel shift in the industry towards sustainable energy production.
- Employment policies fostering investment in renewable energy and its infrastructure have facilitated substantial growth in the solar power sector, transforming the sector into a major player in the European energy landscape.
- In the strategic pursuit of reliance on renewable sources such as solar power, science and finance play crucial roles in developing and supporting clean energy technologies, addressing climate-change challenges, and creating sustainable employment opportunities.
