Renewable Energy Supplied Nearly Half of EU Electricity in 2024

In a major development for the European Union’s energy transition, Eurostat reported that renewable energy sources accounted for 47.4% of all net electricity generated in the EU in 2024. This marks a significant increase of 2.6 percentage points compared to 2023, when renewables represented 44.8% of net electricity production.

The data confirms the EU’s steady progress in shifting away from fossil fuels toward more sustainable energy sources.

What Makes Up Renewable Electricity in the EU?

Eurostat’s 2025 report provides a detailed breakdown of the renewable energy mix for electricity generation:

These figures indicate that wind energy is currently the largest contributor to renewable electricity in the EU, followed by hydropower and solar. Together, these three sources account for nearly 90% of all renewable electricity produced in the region.

Year-on-Year Growth in Renewable Electricity Share

Over the past three years, the EU has seen consistent growth in the share of renewables in its electricity sector:

This trajectory highlights the ongoing impact of investments in wind and solar power, as well as the benefits of favorable weather conditions for hydroelectric production in certain parts of Europe.

Renewable Energy in Heating and Cooling (2023 Data)

Beyond electricity, Eurostat also tracks renewable energy use in heating and cooling, which makes up a significant portion of the EU’s total energy consumption.

According to a separate Eurostat release from 5 March 2025, renewables accounted for 26.2% of all energy used for heating and cooling across the EU in 2023. This is the highest level ever recorded.

The performance varies significantly across member states:

Countries with Highest Shares of Renewables in Heating & Cooling:

• • Sweden: 67.1%
  • Estonia: 66.7%
  • Latvia: 61.4%
  • Finland: 61.3%
  • Denmark: 54.9%

These countries rely heavily on biomass, district heating systems, and heat pumps.

Countries with Lowest Shares:

• • Ireland: 7.9%
  • Netherlands: 9.6%
  • Belgium: 11.3%

These lower shares are typically found in countries with higher reliance on fossil fuels for heating and with slower deployment of renewable heat technologies.

EU Targets: What Is Legally Required by 2030?

The EU has set binding goals for renewable energy under the Renewable Energy Directive (EU) 2018/2001, which was amended in 2023 as part of the “Fit for 55” package.

According to this revised legislation:

• • The EU must reach at least 42.5% renewable energy in gross final energy consumption by 2030.
  • There is also an aspirational target of 45%, to be achieved collectively by member states.

This target covers all sectors — electricity, heating and cooling, and transport — and requires continued investment, infrastructure development, and policy support.

Summary of Key Data