Wind and solar overtook fossil fuels for EU power generation in 2025

Climate scientists and energy modelers have long emphasized that a carbon-free economy will depend mainly on electricity generated from solar panels and wind turbines. However, many European countries have been slow to modernize their electricity grids, which were not designed to handle large amounts of renewable energy that fluctuate throughout the day and are produced by many dispersed sources. The report points to early but important signs of progress. It finds that batteries are beginning to play a key role in meeting evening peaks in electricity demand, times when countries have traditionally relied on burning gas, driving up costs for consumers. By storing excess renewable power and releasing it when demand rises, batteries can reduce the need for expensive and polluting fossil fuels. Italy is highlighted as a potential leader in this shift. It already hosts around one-fifth of the EU’s operating battery capacity and has many more projects planned, putting it on a similar path to California. In California, batteries now regularly supply about 20% of evening peak demand, significantly displacing gas power. According to the report’s author, this trend could help smooth electricity price spikes and suggests that plans for building new gas plants may be excessive, risking wasted public money and stranded assets in the future.