Manya Rathore
Research expert covering India
Renewable energy in Europe - statistics & facts
Europe is a pioneer in the deployment of modern renewable energy technologies. The region can boast to be the home of the first offshore wind park and the first continent to have seen renewable policy schemes introduced. With the European Union striving to become carbon neutral by 2050, renewable energy investments will continue to be paramount in the future. However, as renewables accounted for roughly 25 percent of gross energy consumption in 2023, the EU is still some way off from achieving its target.
Overall, renewable energy use is forecast to grow in the upcoming years. The European Union has set a target of reaching at least 42.5 percent of renewables in primary energy consumption. Some countries such as Estonia, Denmark, Portugal, and Austria have set renewable power targets 90 percent for 2030.
Wind energy in Europe
Wind energy is the greatest renewable contributor to the EU’s power mix. Electricity generation from wind sources grew to 478 terawatt hours in 2023, having seen the strongest year-on-year growth rates next to solar. The total wind power capacity in Europe stood at 269 gigawatts in 2024, with offshore wind installations reaching 37 gigawatts in that year. The United Kingdom is the European country with the largest offshore capacity, while Germany and Spain lead in terms of onshore wind capacity.Europe's solar energy sector
Solar energy is growing rapidly in Europe, with more tan 32 gigawatts of solar photovoltaic capacity added in 2024. In total, the region had a cumulative capacity of more than 300 gigawatts as of the end of that year, with Germany, Spain, and Italy having the largest installed capacities. Germany was also the leading producer of solar power, with roughly 74 terawatt hours generated in 2024.Hydropower in Europe
Hydroelectricity is one of the so-called first-generation technologies, the earliest commercialized renewable sources. However, the use and erection of hydropower facilities and dams – especially large ones – comes with environmental side effects such as damage to wildlife habitats and its promotion has been heavily debated. While China and Brazil have seen massive growth in capacity additions, in Europe, investment has been more conservative. Norway has the greatest overall capacity, followed by Turkey, which is still looking to expand its hydro resources. In total, Europe consumed roughly six exajoules of hydroelectricity in 2023.Europe's bioenergy use
Also a first-generation technology, bioenergy is a major contributor to the EU’s renewable power mix. Similarly to hydropower, its inclusion as a renewable source is controversial as scientists debate its carbon footprint. As of 2024, Europe as a whole had a biopower capacity of over 43 gigawatts. In 2023, the EU’s primary energy production from solid biomass amounted to 94 million metric tons of oil equivalent, with Germany being the leading consumer of solid biomass that year, followed by France and Sweden.Overall, renewable energy use is forecast to grow in the upcoming years. The European Union has set a target of reaching at least 42.5 percent of renewables in primary energy consumption. Some countries such as Estonia, Denmark, Portugal, and Austria have set renewable power targets 90 percent for 2030.
