Record growth of renewable energy in the EU in 2023

In 2023, renewable energy will account for 45.3 per cent of total EU electricity consumption, an increase of 4.1 percentage points compared to 2022. This is the largest annual increase in the share of renewable energy in the EU since statistics began in 2004. By comparison, the increase in 2022 was 3.5 p.p. and 3.3 p.p. in 2020.

Wind power (38.5 per cent of the total), hydropower (28.2 per cent) and solar power (20.5 per cent) were the largest contributors to renewable energy in 2023. Solar energy remains the fastest growing source, with generation increasing from 7.4 TWh in 2008 (1% of total) to 252.1 TWh in 2023. Bioenergy and other renewable sources accounted for 6.2 per cent and 6.6 per cent respectively.

The highest share of electricity from renewable sources was recorded in Austria (87.8%), where hydropower dominates, and in Sweden (87.5%), where hydro and wind power are leading. Denmark also leads the way (79.4%), thanks to the development of wind power. More than 50 per cent of electricity from renewable sources is registered in Portugal (63.0 per cent), Croatia (58.8 per cent), Spain (56.9 per cent), Latvia (54.3 per cent) and Finland (52.4 per cent).

At the same time, the share of renewable energy remains low in some countries. For example, it is only 10.7 per cent in Malta, 16.4 per cent in the Czech Republic, 18.0 per cent in Luxembourg and 19.5 per cent in Hungary.

The rapid growth of the share of renewable energy in the EU is due to the active development of solar and wind power plants, as well as the EU's favourable sustainability policy. The introduction of new technologies and state support contribute to reducing the cost of renewable energy production, making it more competitive with fossil fuels.