Ember: Wind and solar to overtake gas in EU electricity production by 2022

Solar and wind power plants supplied more electricity than fossil gas-fired power plants in European Union countries for the first time in 2022. This is according to the »European Electricity Review« published Jan. 31 by British think tank Ember. While the share of solar and wind power was 22 percent, gas-fired power plants supplied only 20 percent. The share of coal-fired power rose by 1.5 percentage points to 16 percent.
Record growth in wind and solar power helped cushion the deficit in hydro and nuclear power. Solar generation grew the fastest, posting record growth of 39 terawatt-hours, or 24 percent, in 2022. According to Ember, this saved €10 billion in gas costs.
»Europe has avoided the worst of the energy crisis,« said Ember’s head of data insights, Dave Jones. »The shocks of 2022 only caused a minor ripple in coal power and a huge wave of support for renewables. Any fears of a coal rebound are now dead.«
© PHOTON