The European Union took a decisive step towards a cleaner energy system. For the first time, wind and solar energy generated more electricity than fossil fuels.
This progress was consolidated during 2025, when renewables contributed almost half of the electricity of the bloc. However, the achievement comes with a key warning: the electric grid remains a bottleneck.
Although the transition is advancing rapidly, the infrastructure does not keep up with the pace. Therefore, experts insist that modernizing it will be as important as adding clean generation.
Less coal, more renewables, and gas still present
Coal continues to retreat within the European energy system. Its share fell to historic lows and in most countries it is already marginal.
This decline was not compensated by other fossils in the long term. However, during 2025 the use of gas increased due to lower hydroelectric production.
Droughts and lack of rain reduced the contribution of water. As a result, the EU had to import more gas and assume higher energy costs.
Even so, in five years fossil generation fell steadily. This process confirms a structural change in the European electric matrix.
Countries leading and others still dependent on fossils
The renewable leadership is not homogeneous throughout the European Union. Only 14 of the 27 member states produced more wind and solar electricity than fossil.
Among them, The Netherlands and Croatia joined for the first time. Sweden, Luxembourg, Finland, and Lithuania also stand out for their consistency.
Portugal, Spain, Austria, France, and Belgium consolidated this trend. Meanwhile, Hungary and Germany recently reached the tipping point.
In contrast, Estonia, Bulgaria, Greece, Ireland, Slovenia, Latvia, Romania, Slovakia, Italy, Czech Republic, Poland, Cyprus, and Malta still depend more on fossils. However, several of these countries show a strong solar growth.
Obsolete grids and prices under pressure
The renewable advance exposes technical limits of the electric system. Current grids cannot always absorb peaks of solar and wind production.
This generates waste of clean energy and price tensions. Additionally, moments of greater gas use raise wholesale costs.
Updating the grids would allow better integration of renewables. It would also reduce volatility and strengthen energy security.
The benefits of replacing fossils with renewable energies
Replacing fossil fuels directly reduces pollutant emissions. Thus, it mitigates climate change and improves air quality.
Moreover, renewables decrease dependence on energy imports. This strengthens sovereignty and reduces exposure to external crises.
From an ecological perspective, they also protect ecosystems. Less extraction implies less pressure on soils, waters, and biodiversity.
The European energy transition shows that the path is possible. The challenge now is to sustain the momentum with modern grids and coherent policies.
