Power plants across the EU have significantly reduced fossil fuel use for electricity, new data revealed.
Between January and June 2023, fossil fuel consumption for electricity generation plummeted by a substantial 17% compared to the same period in the previous year. This marks a historic low in fossil fuel usage, with the EU generating 410 terawatt-hours (TWh) of electricity from emissions-intensive sources.
Data shows that this level of reliance on fossil fuels is the lowest since 2015.
The decline in fossil fuel-based electricity generation was attributed to two key factors. Firstly, there was a notable decrease in the demand for electricity. Secondly, clean energy sources experienced some growth during this period.
Matt Ewen, a data analyst at Ember and the author of the report, expressed cautious optimism about the findings.
“We’re pleased to witness the reduction in fossil fuel usage. However, it is imperative to recognise that a long-term strategy cannot hinge solely on reduced demand. Rather, we must proactively replace these energy sources with sustainable alternatives, as counting on declining demand alone is not a sustainable solution,” he said.
This data underscores the EU’s commitment to combat climate change by transitioning away from fossil fuels and embracing cleaner, more sustainable energy sources.
A remarkable shift
This data represents a remarkable shift in the EU’s energy landscape, as the industry recognises the importance of reducing their reliance on coal, oil and gas.
This change represents a paradigm shift that will affect the way businesses interact with their energy use and data.
At ClearVUE.Business, we provide businesses with guidance as the industry shifts to more renewable options.
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