EU fossil fuel power generation falls to record low
EU fossil fuel power generation falls to record low
In the first half of 2023, as EU electricity demand fell by 5% and renewable energy production hit record highs in many countries, EU fossil fuel generation plummeted 17% to the lowest level on record, think tank Ember Climate said in a new report. minimum level.
In the first half of this year, EU electricity demand continued to be sluggish due to high winter electricity and natural gas prices and a slowdown in industrial production. The report said falling demand caused coal and natural gas generation to collapse, while solar and wind generation rose. Solar power generation increased by 13% and wind power generation increased by 5%.
"Hydro and nuclear are recovering from their historic lows in 2022, although their long-term prospects are uncertain," Ember said.
As a result, in the first half of 2023, fossil fuels generated 410 TWh in the EU, accounting for 33% of electricity demand, the lowest on record. In the first half of 2023, coal power generation led the decline with a 23% decline, and natural gas power generation fell by 13% year-on-year. Ember pointed out that in May, coal power generation fell below 10% of EU power generation for the first time, setting a record low.
On the other hand, renewable energy generation is on the rise, including solar and wind to a lesser extent. In the first half of 2023, a total of 17 EU countries have reached a record high share of renewable energy generation, with Greece and Romania surpassing 50% for the first time, and Denmark and Portugal both breaking through 75%.
Matt Ewen, European data analyst at Ember, said: "The reduction of fossil fuels is a sign of the times. Coal and gas are too expensive, too risky, and the EU is phasing them out." Solar and wind power generation capacity and generation to more quickly displace fossil fuels and support a resilient economy.
Earlier this week, the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) said last year's surge in fossil fuel prices has made renewable energy more competitive globally, with 86% of newly installed renewable energy generation to be generated at a cost of less than 10% in 2022. Fossil fuel electricity generation.