EU Increases Fossil Fuel Power Generation as Renewables Falter

July 10, 2025 Clark Savage Coal, Electrical Generation / Utilities, ENB Pub Note, Energy Crisis, Fossil, International News, Net Zero, Nuclear, Renewables Not Sustainable, Solar, Top News, Wind
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The European Union, long a champion of the green energy transition, is facing a stark reality: fossil fuel power generation is surging as renewable energy sources struggle to meet demand. A recent report from OilPrice.com highlights this shift, noting that coal and gas plants are expected to increase output by 50% this month to compensate for a 40% drop in wind power generation. This development is driving up electricity prices and carbon emissions, raising questions about the EU’s energy strategy and the reliability of its renewable energy infrastructure.
The EU’s Energy Mix: A Complex Landscape
The EU’s energy mix is diverse, with member states relying on a combination of fossil fuels, renewables, nuclear power, and hydropower to meet their electricity needs. According to the European Commission’s 2024 data, the EU’s electricity production in 2023 was roughly composed of:

  • Renewables: 44% (including wind, solar, hydropower, and biomass)
  • Nuclear: 23%
  • Fossil Fuels: 32% (coal, natural gas, and oil)
  • Other: 1% (including waste and geothermal)

Renewable energy has been the cornerstone of the EU’s climate goals, with wind and solar leading the charge. In 2022, wind power accounted for 16% of the EU’s electricity, while solar contributed 8%. Hydropower, a more stable renewable source, made up 10%, and biomass rounded out the renewable share. However, the intermittent nature of wind and solar has exposed vulnerabilities in the EU’s energy system, particularly during periods of low wind speeds or reduced solar output.

Fossil fuels, despite their declining share over the past decade, remain a critical component of the EU’s energy mix. Natural gas, which is less carbon-intensive than coal, accounts for the majority of fossil fuel-based electricity, while coal has been phased out in several member states. However, coal still plays a significant role in countries like Poland, Germany, and the Czech Republic, where it supports grid stability during peak demand.
Nuclear power, a reliable low-carbon source, is a major contributor in countries like France (where it supplies over 60% of electricity) and Sweden. Yet, nuclear’s role is contentious, with Germany phasing out its reactors in 2023 and other nations debating their nuclear future.

Renewables Falter: The Wind Power Slump

The OilPrice.com report underscores a critical challenge: wind power generation has plummeted by 40% in July 2025, forcing the EU to lean heavily on fossil fuels. This drop is attributed to unusually low wind speeds across key wind-producing regions, such as the North Sea and Baltic Sea. Wind power, which has been a flagship of the EU’s renewable push, is inherently weather-dependent, and this variability has exposed gaps in the region’s energy infrastructure.

The decline in wind output comes at a time when energy demand is rising, driven by summer cooling needs and the growing electricity requirements of data centers and electric vehicles. Without adequate energy storage solutions—such as large-scale battery systems or pumped hydro—excess renewable energy generated during high-output periods cannot be saved for times of scarcity. As one X post noted, “The surge in fossil fuel use is necessary because there is no effective way to store excess renewable energy.

Solar power, while less affected by recent weather patterns, cannot fully compensate for the wind shortfall. Solar output peaks during the day but drops to zero at night, and its contribution is limited in northern EU countries with shorter daylight hours. Hydropower, another renewable source, is constrained by seasonal water availability and cannot be rapidly scaled up to fill the gap.

Fossil Fuels Step In: Coal and Gas Resurgence

To bridge the energy shortfall, EU countries are ramping up coal and gas-fired power plants. The OilPrice.com report estimates a 50% increase in fossil fuel output this month, a move that is driving up both electricity prices and carbon emissions. Coal, in particular, is making a comeback in countries like Poland and Germany, where it remains a readily available backup fuel. Natural gas, which has been a transitional fuel in the EU’s decarbonization efforts, is also being heavily utilized, supported by recent loosening of EU gas storage rules to prevent price spikes.

This reliance on fossil fuels is a setback for the EU’s ambitious climate targets, which aim for a 55% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and net-zero by 2050. The resurgence of coal, in particular, is problematic, as it is the most carbon-intensive fuel. Posts on X reflect this concern, with one user stating, “Wind power is plunging. Prices are spiking. Emissions are soaring. After decades of preaching the green transition, the EU is crawling back to the fossil fuels it tried to kill.”Why Are Renewables Struggling?Several factors are contributing to the challenges facing the EU’s renewable energy sector:

  1. Weather Dependency: Wind and solar power are inherently variable, and prolonged periods of low wind or cloud cover can significantly reduce output. The current wind power slump is a prime example of this vulnerability.
  2. Insufficient Storage: The EU lacks large-scale energy storage systems to balance supply and demand. While battery technology is advancing, it is not yet deployable at the scale needed to store excess renewable energy for weeks or months.
  3. Grid Constraints: Europe’s electricity grid is not fully integrated, limiting the ability to transfer surplus renewable energy from one region to another. For example, excess wind power in Denmark cannot easily offset deficits in Germany.
  4. Policy and Investment Gaps: While the EU has invested heavily in renewables, funding for grid upgrades, storage solutions, and backup systems has lagged. Additionally, recent policy shifts, such as the loosening of gas storage rules, signal a pragmatic approach to energy security over strict adherence to renewable targets.
  5. Global Competition: The EU faces competition for renewable technology supply chains, particularly for solar panels and batteries, which are often imported from China. This reliance on foreign supply chains can create bottlenecks.

The Broader Context: Global Energy Trends

The EU’s increased reliance on fossil fuels is not an isolated phenomenon. Globally, fossil fuels continue to play a significant role in the energy mix, particularly in emerging markets. A recent BRICS summit reaffirmed the importance of fossil fuels for developing economies, with countries like Brazil and Venezuela leveraging their oil and gas resources to meet growing energy needs. In the U.S., power utilities are seeking price hikes to meet AI-driven electricity demand, and premature closures of fossil fuel plants have strained grid reliability.

Meanwhile, the EU is not abandoning renewables entirely. Efforts to expand onshore wind, as seen in the UK’s push for community-owned turbines, and investments in nuclear fusion, supported by the EU through projects like ITER, indicate a long-term commitment to clean energy. However, these initiatives will take years to bear fruit, leaving fossil fuels as a necessary stopgap.

Implications for the EU’s Energy Future
The current surge in fossil fuel use is a wake-up call for the EU. While renewables remain central to its climate strategy, the region must address the reliability and scalability of these sources to avoid future energy crises. Key steps include:

  • Investing in Storage: Large-scale battery systems, pumped hydro, and hydrogen storage could smooth out renewable energy variability.
  • Upgrading the Grid: A more interconnected and flexible grid would enable better distribution of renewable energy across member states.
  • Diversifying Energy Sources: Expanding nuclear power and geothermal energy, as favored by some policymakers, could provide stable, low-carbon alternatives.
  • Balancing Pragmatism and Ambition: The EU must balance its climate goals with energy security, ensuring affordable and reliable electricity for its citizens.

Conclusion

The EU’s increased reliance on fossil fuels in July 2025 highlights the challenges of transitioning to a renewable-dominated energy system. While wind and solar have transformed the region’s energy mix, their intermittency has exposed gaps in infrastructure and planning. As coal and gas plants ramp up to meet demand, electricity prices and emissions are rising, prompting a reevaluation of the EU’s energy strategy.

For now, fossil fuels are filling the void, but the EU must act swiftly to bolster its renewable infrastructure, invest in storage and grid upgrades, and diversify its energy portfolio. The green transition remains a noble goal, but without pragmatic solutions, the EU risks further setbacks in its quest for a sustainable energy future.
The EU, following the Net Zero path, will continue to experience high energy prices, deindustrialization, and financial collapse. “Renewable” wind, solar, and hydrogen, with their current technology implementation, are more expensive and do not lower pollution. We have yet to find any wind or solar projects that include land reclamation in their funding. This will become a substantial global financial problem once the Ponzi scheme collapses.
Sources:

  • OilPrice.com: “EU Hikes Fossil Fuel Power Generation as Renewables Falter”
  • European Commission: Energy Statistics, 2024
  • Reuters: “EU Parliament approves deal on looser gas storage rules”
  • Posts on X reflecting sentiment on EU energy trends

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