Mapped: The greenest countries in Europe
This October marks a significant milestone as the UK achieves the remarkable feat of not generating any electricity from coal, a first in 142 years. The closure of the Ratcliffe-on-Soar Power Station in Nottinghamshire propels the UK to the forefront among major economies by becoming the pioneer in phasing out coal-fired power. Despite this achievement, the UK’s significant reliance on natural gas positions it relatively lower in the ranks compared to other European countries in terms of green energy production.
Data from the energy think tank Ember reveals that just under half of the UK’s electricity came from renewable sources last year. A study by Our World in Data, a project based at the University of Oxford, highlights that over 20 European countries surpass the UK in their share of renewables in the energy mix.
In a positive stride towards sustainability, wind and solar power surpassed fossil fuel-generated power for the first time in Europe earlier this year, with wind turbines and solar panels contributing to 30 per cent of the EU’s electricity in the initial six months of 2024. These findings align with Ember’s 2023 prediction that the world is on the cusp of a decline in fossil fuel usage due to the rapid growth of renewable energy.
The Global Electricity Review 2024 report by Ember showcased a record-breaking 30 per cent of global electricity being generated by renewables in the previous year, indicating a shifting trend away from fossil fuels. Although the UK lags behind many European counterparts in renewable energy, projections indicate that it will surpass the 50 per cent renewable energy mark by 2025.
Setting ambitious goals, the UK government aims for energy providers to generate all electricity from zero-carbon sources by 2035. The National Grid emphasises that the objective is not for renewables to be the sole energy provider but to form a substantial portion of a clean energy mix that also includes nuclear power.
Globally, seven countries currently rely on renewable energy for 100 per cent of their electricity needs. Among them, Albania stands out as the sole European country achieving this milestone, predominantly through harnessing its major river systems and making significant investments in hydropower. Albania has recently expanded its focus to incorporate wind and solar power to further diversify its energy portfolio.
In conclusion, as the world transitions towards sustainable energy practices, the UK’s progress towards a greener future and the notable achievements of countries like Albania set a positive trajectory for a more environmentally conscious energy landscape in Europe and beyond.