EU Energy: More Renewables and Nuclear, Less Coal and Oil in 2024

In 2024, according to preliminary data from Eurostat , the supply of renewable energy in the EU increased by 3.4% compared to 2023, reaching around 11.3 million terajoules (TJ). In contrast, the supply of coal continued to decline. Lignite and brown coal recorded a 10% decrease, falling to 199 302 thousand tonnes, while the supply of hard coal decreased by 13.8%, standing at 110 924 thousand tonnes. Both values ​​are the lowest ever recorded since the beginning of the historical series.

After the sharp decline in natural gas supply in the EU in 2023, 2024 marked a very modest increase of 0.3% compared to 2023, reaching 12.8 million TJ. For oil and petroleum products, the overall supply was 454,038 thousand tonnes, a decrease of 1.2% compared to 2023. In 2024, renewable energy was the main source of electricity in the EU, covering 47.3% of all electricity generation. Renewables generated 1.31 million Gigawatt hours (GWh), an increase of 7.7% compared to 2023.

In contrast, electricity generated from fossil fuels decreased by 7.2% compared to the previous year, contributing 0.81 million GWh, or 29.2% of total production. Nuclear power plants produced 0.65 million GWh, or 23.4% of EU electricity production, up 4.8% compared to 2023.