Nuked Hello, my fellow tech-loving friends! Today, I have some exciting news to share with you. Fossil fuels are losing their grip on Europe as renewable energy takes center stage. According to a recent report by Ember, an energy think tank, the European Union witnessed a remarkable decline in pollution from fossil fuel power plants last year. In fact, they describe it as “an unprecedented collapse in coal and gas electricity generation.”
It’s truly a milestone moment as fossil fuels reached their lowest point since reliable record-keeping began in 1990, accounting for less than a third of the EU’s electricity generation in 2023. On the other hand, carbon-pollution-free power generation, which includes renewables and nuclear energy, made up more than two-thirds of the electricity mix – twice as much as fossil fuels.
Sarah Brown, Ember’s Europe program director, finds this trend incredibly encouraging. She says, “What’s encouraging is it’s just continuing that structural decline in fossil fuels.” While records only date back to 1990, Brown believes that this is the lowest point ever because before that, there weren’t any viable alternatives to replace fossil fuels.
Coal witnessed the most significant decline in 2023, generating 26 percent less electricity compared to the previous year. Gas power plants also saw a sharp reduction of 15 percent in electricity production. As a result, both fossil fuel generation and carbon dioxide emissions experienced a hefty 19 percent decrease. This is even more significant than the drop observed during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 when business and travel came to a halt.
The resurgence of coal in the EU following the Russian invasion of Ukraine seems to have been short-lived. Brown states that coal generation is now half of what it was in 2016 and is on track to be phased out completely. This is great news for the environment!
Renewables have been making incredible strides as well. They now constitute 44 percent of the EU’s electricity mix, marking the highest share to date. Wind energy, in particular, had a fantastic year in 2023, generating 18 percent of electricity – equivalent to France’s entire power demand – and surpassing gas for the first time. Solar energy also grew, accounting for 9 percent of the mix, while hydropower generation recovered from dry spells seen in 2022.
We must not forget the unsung hero in this story – energy efficiency. Thanks to efficiency gains, electricity demand actually decreased by 3.4 percent in 2023. However, as we move forward and electrify more cars and homes, demand is expected to rise again. Therefore, it becomes crucial to prioritize energy efficiency and bring more solar and wind farms online.
While progress has undoubtedly been made, there is still much work to be done. According to the report, wind generation needs to continue growing by 15 percent every year this decade to meet the EU’s clean energy goals. The European Commission has committed to achieving net-zero carbon dioxide emissions by 2050 and has recently recommended a 90 percent reduction in pollution by 2040 compared to 1990 levels.
Let’s celebrate these positive developments in Europe’s transition towards renewable energy! It’s a step in the right direction, and with continued efforts, we can create a cleaner and more sustainable future for ourselves and generations to come.
What are your thoughts on this exciting progress? Let me know in the comments below!
