In June, solar power became the primary electricity source in the European Union, surpassing nuclear and wind energy, according to data from energy think tank Ember. Solar energy accounted for 22.1% of the EU’s electricity production, up from 18.9% the previous year, generating 45.4 terawatt hours due to favorable weather conditions and increased installations. Nuclear power closely followed at 21.8%, with wind energy contributing 15.8% to the energy mix.
Thirteen EU countries, including Germany, Spain, and the Netherlands, reported record-high monthly solar energy generation. Chris Rosslowe, the lead author of the report and senior energy analyst at Ember, noted the significant shift in the EU power system, emphasizing the importance of solar energy during peak demand periods and summer heatwaves.
Coal’s contribution to the EU’s electricity mix plummeted to a historic low of 6.1% in June, down from 8.8% the previous year, with a 28% decrease in electricity generation compared to the same period. Both Germany and Poland, major coal power producers within the EU, experienced record lows in coal electricity generation, with coal accounting for 12.4% and 42.9% of their respective energy mixes.
Spain, on the verge of phasing out coal completely, generated only 0.6% of its electricity from coal during the same period. While wind energy also achieved new records in May and June following a slow start to the year, fossil fuel consumption in the first half of 2025 increased by 13% compared to the previous year. This rise was primarily driven by a 19% surge in gas generation to compensate for lower wind and hydroelectric output earlier in the year.
Despite the remarkable growth in solar and wind energy production in June, the EU saw a 2.2% rise in electricity demand during the first half of the year. Ember highlighted the need for expanding battery storage and enhancing grid flexibility to reduce reliance on fossil fuels during periods of low solar energy generation.
Comparatively, solar energy constitutes only about 1% of electricity generation in Canada, but the trend is shifting towards increased solar utilization, according to Principal Economist Dave Sawyer from the Canadian Climate Institute. Sawyer emphasized the rapid growth of solar energy in Canada over the past decade, with an average annual growth rate of 13%.
While Canada relies on abundant hydropower for approximately 56% of its electricity generation, nuclear energy accounts for 16% in Canada and 21% in the EU. Wind energy contributes 10% to Canada’s energy mix and 16% to the EU’s. Sawyer also highlighted Canada’s efforts to enhance battery storage capacity to support the electrification of various sectors like heat pumps and electric vehicles, emphasizing the importance of cost-effective and reliable electricity solutions for widespread adoption.
