Energy and Environment

Renewables generate more electricity than fossil fuels in Europe in 2025

The figure emerges from the European Electricity Review by the energy think tank Ember. Italy is still among the most gas-dependent countries, but could improve thanks to batteries

22 January 2026

2' min read

Translated by AI

Versione italiana

2' min read

Translated by AI

Versione italiana

Energy, for the first time in 2025 wind and solar generated more electricity (30 per cent) in the EU than fossil fuels (29 per cent). This is the figure that emerges from the European Electricity Review published by the energy think tank Ember, according to which, despite the strong acceleration on the transition, Italy is nevertheless together with Germany among the countries most affected by the costs of imported gas, but could benefit from the development of batteries.

Solar increase

Driving the overtaking of renewables over fossil fuels in 2025 was the rise of solar power, up by more than a fifth (+20.1%) for the fourth year running, which reached a record 13% of EU electricity production, overtaking coal and hydro. The increase was widespread across the Twenty-Seven: in Hungary, Cyprus, Greece, Spain and the Netherlands, photovoltaics accounted for over a fifth of electricity, while in Italy the share rose 24% in one year to 17%.

Wind power remained the second largest source of electricity in the EU, also at 17%. Overall, the report notes that renewables generated 48% of European electricity, despite 'atypical' weather conditions that penalised hydro (-12%) and, to a lesser extent, wind (-2%), favouring solar instead.

Gas addiction

"This historic breakthrough shows how quickly the EU is moving towards an electricity system powered by sun and wind," points out author Beatrice Petrovich, emphasising that "just as fossil dependency contributes to geopolitical instability, the stakes of the transition to clean energy are clearer than ever.

Electricity generation from gas is also on the rise (+34 TWh, +8% over 2024), mainly to compensate for the decline in hydropower, although it remains 18% below pre-crisis energy levels. The cost of gas imports for electricity generation reached EUR 32 billion, 16% above 2024: the first rise since 2022, with Italy and Germany among the most exposed countries. Finally, coal continued its rapid decline, falling to an all-time low of 9.2% in 2025.

Batteries in Italy

Italy is one of the leaders in the battery sector in the EU, concentrating around 20 per cent of the EU's total operational large battery capacity (1.9 GW), the study goes on to point out: from January to October 2025, capacity increased by 0.7 GW (+40 per cent compared to 2024). A dynamic that is linked to the California model, indicated as a possible trajectory for Italy as well. According to Ember, a 'robust project pipeline' could support 'rapid future growth, with 10 GW of new battery projects under construction, authorised or announced in December'.

In 2025, Italian storage already contributed to covering demand during peak hours of gas consumption, a trend 'that could accelerate rapidly with the realisation of such a pipeline', leading to a growth of 'almost six times' the current capacity. A development that would reduce dependence on imported gas and exposure to high energy prices. The report cites California as a reference: in just a few years, batteries have begun to cover a significant share of evening demand, reducing reliance on gas-fired power stations. By following a similar path, Ember notes, Italy too could stabilise electricity prices and limit its exposure to gas imports.