Renewable energy supplied more than half of the European Union’s electricity during the second quarter of 2026, highlighting the continued transformation of Europe’s power system. However, new figures also show that the EU renewable energy transition still faces challenges, particularly as weak hydropower and wind generation can increase dependence on natural gas.
According to Eurostat, renewable sources accounted for 54.1 per cent of electricity generated across the EU in Q2 2026. This was slightly below the 54.3 per cent recorded during the same quarter in 2025. Overall EU electricity generation increased by 3.2 per cent year-on-year, while renewable generation grew by 2.8 per cent and gas-fired generation increased by 3.9 per cent.
Solar power was a particularly strong performer. It accounted for 41.6 per cent of renewable electricity generation, compared with 37 per cent a year earlier. The expansion of solar is becoming increasingly important to EU renewable energy, particularly when weather conditions reduce output from other renewable sources.
Hydropower has faced significant difficulties because of hot and dry conditions across parts of Europe. Drought and low rainfall reduced water availability in reservoirs and rivers, particularly in the Alpine region. In July, Austrian hydropower production fell to only 51 per cent of its normal level compared with the previous 15 years. Switzerland recorded 48 per cent of normal production, while Germany reached 63 per cent and France 68 per cent.
Solar can help compensate when hydropower production declines. The article estimates that increased solar generation has saved the EU €35.4 billion in avoided gas imports since the beginning of the Iran war. Nevertheless, growing solar capacity has not eliminated Europe’s dependence on gas-fired electricity. Gas maintained a 13.3 per cent share of electricity generation, demonstrating how declining hydro or wind production can bring fossil fuels back into the electricity mix.
This highlights the importance of developing a more diversified EU renewable energy system combining solar, wind and hydropower with greater energy storage and grid flexibility. Expanding storage could allow surplus renewable electricity produced during favourable conditions to be used when renewable generation falls, reducing the need for gas-fired power plants.
There are also substantial differences between EU countries. Latvia recorded the highest renewable share in Q2 2026 at 97.7 per cent, largely from hydro and solar. Denmark followed at 94.3 per cent, while Croatia reached 92.2 per cent. At the other end of the scale, Slovakia generated 19.8 per cent of its electricity from renewables, Czechia 20.9 per cent and Malta 24.5 per cent.
The figures demonstrate that EU renewable energy has become the dominant source of electricity generation, but reaching greater energy independence will require continued investment in solar, wind, storage, grids and other technologies capable of reducing Europe’s remaining reliance on natural gas.