The EU Has Halved Electricity Generation from Coal Compared to 2016

Although electricity generation from coal in the EU increased in 2021 following the COVID-19 pandemic and in 2022 after the Russian invasion of Ukraine, electricity generation from coal during these two years was below the level in 2019. As the energy crisis unfolded globally, EU countries took additional measures to minimise the impact of the crisis, such as postponing the decommissioning of coal plants and keeping some coal-fired power plants at idle capacity. Even so, these measures did not prevent a decline in coal-fired electricity generation in the EU. 

In 2023, the EU generated 333 TWh of electricity from coal, halving its production compared to 2016. At the same time, the decline in electricity generation from coal did not lead to a rise in electricity generation from natural gas, thanks to increased wind and solar generation (+354 TWh). On an annual basis, the amount of electricity generated from natural gas fell by a record 15% compared to 2022. In other words, contrary to popular belief, the war has accelerated the EU’s transition to clean energy, not its return to fossil fuels.

Diverging Neighbors

Türkiye and EU countries seem to be moving in different directions regarding electricity generation from coal. In 2013, the share of coal in electricity generation was approximately 25% in both the EU and Türkiye. In the last decade, the share of coal in electricity generation fell to 12% in the EU, whereas in Türkiye, the trend went in the opposite direction, reaching 36%.