The capacity for wind and solar energy in the European Union increased by 65% from 2019 to 2023, with Germany making the largest contribution, according to an analysis by energy think tank Ember.
The report stated that Germany accounted for 22% of the E.U. increase, followed by Spain with 13%. Over half of the 27 E.U. member states had at least doubled their wind and solar capacity during the period.
From 2019 to 2023, solar capacity in the E.U. more than doubled, reaching 257 gigawatts last year. Over the course of these four years, this equates to the daily installation of over 230,000 solar modules, the report’s authors explained.
In addition, wind energy capacity increased by almost a third to 219 gigawatts.
Due to new capacities, the proportion of wind and solar energy in the E.U.’s electricity mix rose from 17% to 27% in the past four years.
Since 2019, the E.U. energy sector has changed significantly, amid ambitious climate policies and measures to reduce reliance on Russian gas.
According to Ember expert Sarah Brown, ambitious climate policies and targeted measures to move away from Russian gas have created real and sustainable momentum.
The European Commission’s Green Deal strategy aims for renewables to account for at least 42.5% of energy used across the E.U. by 2030.
With the Green Deal, the E.U. aims to become climate-neutral by 2050. The strategy includes measures in areas such as energy, transport, industry and agriculture.
