In the first half of 2024, renewables made up more than half of all electric power generation in Europe while nuclear provided a stable share of 24 per cent according to latest figures from Eurelectric’s electricity data platform.

Demand for power, however, remains low due to sluggish growth, relocation outside the EU, deindustrialisation and mild weather.

The latest figures from Eurelectric’s Electricity Data Platform, ELDA, show that 74 per cent of electricity produced in the EU in the first half of 2024 came from renewable and low-carbon energy sources. This is a significant increase compared to the 68 per cent share in 2023. The main reasons behind this result were an unprecedented influx of renewables on the grid combined with the stabilisation of the nuclear fleet.

“The pace of change is impressive. These figures document that the decarbonisation efforts of electricity companies are years ahead of any other sector,” said secretary general of Eurelectric, Kristian Ruby.

While the numbers on the supply side are promising, in the first half of 2023 power demand in the EU decreased by 3.4 per cent compared to same period in 2022 and has continued to remain low in 2024 at 2.6 per cent lower than in H1 2022. This trend is mainly due to industry relocating abroad (and carbon production thus being exported) warmer temperatures, energy savings and slow economic growth.

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