Solar power became the European Union's biggest source of electricity for the first time in June, overtaking nuclear and wind energy. Coal's share dropped to a record low, data from energy think tank Ember shows.
Solar energy made up 22.1 percent of the EU’s electricity last month – the highest proportion to date, and up from 18.9 percent a year ago. That figure puts it just ahead of nuclear energy at 21.8 percent, while wind supplied around 16 percent.
At least 13 EU countries broke their own monthly solar energy records in June, with Germany, Spain and the Netherlands among the top contributors.
The Netherlands now gets more than 40 percent of its electricity from the sun, while Greece reached 35 percent.
Countries including Belgium, Croatia, France, Hungary, Italy, Portugal and Slovakia also hit new solar energy highs.
"This milestone shows how rapidly the EU’s power system is changing," said Chris Rosslowe, senior energy analyst at Ember and lead author of the report. "Solar is stepping up when it’s needed most – during summer heatwaves and peak demand."
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Coal at historic low
Coal’s share of the EU electricity mix fell to just over 6 percent in June – the lowest ever and down from nearly 9 percent a year earlier.
Germany and Poland still burn most of the EU’s coal, but both saw record lows.
Coal made up around 12 percent of Germany’s electricity and 43 percent in Poland. Spain, which plans to phase out coal soon, produced less than 1 percent of its power from coal last month.
Ten EU countries used no coal at all in June – including Ireland, which closed its last coal plant on 20 June.
Wind power also bounced back in May and June after a slow start to the year. Wind farms generated their highest levels to date for those months.
However, despite strong renewable growth, fossil fuel use across the EU rose 13 percent in the first half of 2025. Gas plants helped cover lower levels of hydro and wind power generated earlier in the year, while a long dry spell cut hydro output by 15 percent compared to last year.
Total electricity demand in the EU continues to rise too, by 2.2 percent so far this year.
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Support for renewables
The European Commission says almost nine in 10 Europeans want more renewable energy. Local solar projects and lower bills help win support for rooftop panels and shared solar schemes.
"Non-stop records are not just the result of sunny weather, but also from new solar being built every year," said Rosslowe. "The next big opportunity 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."
A separate study by Global Energy Monitor found that turning old coal mines into solar power farms could produce enough power for a country the size of Germany.
Experts say Europe’s next challenge is adding more storage and upgrading power grids, to keep the lights on when the sun is not shining and the wind is not blowing.
