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Written by Susannah Tweedale
LONDON (Reuters) – Wind power generated more electricity than gas power plants in Europe for the first time last year, data from think tank Ember shows, as fossil fuel electricity production plummets and regional carbon emissions are cut. It was shown in
Europe is increasing renewable power generation as part of efforts to wean itself off Russian fuel and meet climate goals of net-zero emissions by 2050.
According to the Ember report, fossil fuel electricity generation in Europe will fall by 19% in 2023 compared to the previous year, with gas-fired electricity generation falling by 15% and coal-fired electricity generation falling by 26%.
At the same time, wind power increased by 13% and now accounts for 18% of Europe’s overall electricity mix, the data showed.
“Europe is on the path to phase out coal, and we think gas production has fallen for the fourth year in a row and will continue to do so,” Dave Jones, head of global insights at climate think tank Ember, said in an interview. Told. .
Carbon emissions from the power sector have fallen by 19%, the report showed, due to a decline in electricity from fossil fuels and an increase in renewable energy and nuclear power generation.
According to the data, gas plants provided almost 17% of Europe’s electricity in 2023, while coal provided just over 12%.
According to the data, nuclear power was the largest single power source last year, accounting for almost 23%, while solar power accounted for 9%.
Total renewable energy rose to an all-time high of 44% of electricity in 2023.
Data shows that electricity demand fell by 3.4% in 2023 due to lower industrial consumption and warmer weather, but electricity demand is expected to rise this year as more products run on electricity, such as heating and vehicles. Jones said.
“To achieve the necessary emissions reductions, renewable energy will need to keep up with increasing demand,” Jones said.
(Reporting by Susanna Tweedale; Editing by David Evans)
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