Over the first six months of this year, the European Union (EU) has reportedly generated more electricity from wind and solar than from fossil fuels. Ember says combined, they generated 30% (386 TWh) of the EU's electricity in the first half of 2024, with fossil generation only supplying 27% (343 TWh).
Wind and solar have demonstrated that they can grow quickly enough to meet demand increases and push fossil fuels out of the mix. EU policies aimed at accelerating the energy transition in the wake of the gas price crisis have resulted in record capacity additions for wind and solar, laying the groundwork for a sustained shift away from fossil fuels.
The increase in wind and solar generation displaced fossil fuels, leading to a key milestone. In the first six months of 2024, the EU generated more electricity from wind and solar than from fossil fuels. Combined, they generated 30% (386 TWh) of the EU’s electricity in the first half of 2024, with fossil generation only supplying 27% (343 TWh). Four Member States also hit this milestone for the first time between January and June in 2024: Germany, Belgium, Hungary and the Netherlands.
Wind and solar overtake fossil generation in 13 Member States
This EU milestone is not being driven by only a few countries: nine Member States already generated more electricity from wind and solar than fossil fuels over the first six months in previous years, with wind and solar continuing to widen their lead. Combined, wind and solar have now surpassed fossil fuels in close to half of EU Member States. These countries make up 70% of the EU’s total electricity demand. Just five years ago, this figure stood at 5 out of 27 — France, Sweden, Denmark, Lithuania and Luxembourg — responsible for only 25% of EU electricity demand.
A new era for wind and solar as milestones pile up
Wind and solar generation growth has led to additional milestone moments across the EU. In May, over 50% of Spain’s electricity generation came from wind and solar, the first time this has ever happened. In the same month, Poland hit a third of generation coming from wind and solar, also for the first time. Poland’s solar generation in the first half of 2024 increased by 37% compared to the same period in 2023. Strong solar growth in Hungary meant that the country set three consecutive all-time highs for solar output in a single month in April, May and June 2024, beating the previous record set in July 2023.
Supportive policies and high energy prices have driven a wind and solar capacity boom
Recent years have fundamentally changed the EU’s approach to the energy transition, particularly as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine sent gas prices and the cost of electricity skyrocketing. This has resulted in a significant acceleration of wind and solar deployment across Member States. New policies on both the EU and national level have recognized and solidified the role of clean power technologies to minimize reliance on expensive fossil fuel imports and consumer exposure to volatile prices. Falling solar panel costs have helped to sustain deployment, even as energy prices begin to return to pre-crisis levels.
The EU broke records for both wind and solar capacity additions in 2023, reflected in this year’s gains in generation.
As far as Tajikistan is concerned, the potential of solar energy in the country is reportedly quite high. The country is located between 36°40′ and 41°05′ north latitude. Meteorologists call this zone a “golden belt” of sunshine. According to the Agency of Hydrometeorology of Tajikistan (Hydromet), the duration of sunshine in the country is 2100-3166 hours per year, and the number of sunny days per year ranges from 260 to 300. This provides great opportunities for the use of solar power as an alternative. The estimated potential of solar energy in Tajikistan is about 25 billion kWh / year. This potential is not used, if not to take into account some of its use for water heating. In Tajikistan, the share of solar energy is less than one percent
Meanwhile, the potential for wind is relatively unknown, but CABAR.asia estimates of its energy production are promising, with the forecasted figure standing at 30 billion-100 billion kWh per year, effectively rivaling the production of some hydropower plants.
Adopted on September 30, 2022, the Green Economy Strategy (Strategy) highlights effective use of green energy and ensuring energy efficiency as one of its 12 priority areas. The Strategy aims to increase the country's renewable energy production capacity (solar, wind, and bioenergy) by 10% by the end of its implementation. By 2037, the share of facilities, built in accordance with green construction principles, should be 80% of the total volume of construction.
Currently, about 98% of generated electric power in Tajikistan comes from hydropower plants. Along with the positive environmental and financial aspects of this indicator, it significantly increases the energy sector’s dependence on the volume of water flow in rivers and weather conditions in the face of climate change.
Руcский
