Renewables surge in European power mix
Wind and solar energy generation have increased even though total energy demand has fallen during the pandemic
The coronavirus pandemic and the resulting lockdowns across Europe have resulted in an acceleration of renewable energy’s growth in many countries, even as power consumption has fallen by more than 6pc. Data for the period from 1 January to 16 June 2020 from the grid operator association the European Network of Transmission System Operators for Electricity (ENTSO-E) and compiled by data platform Wartsila Energy Transition Lab shows that wind, solar and biomass generation across the continent has grown by an average of 7pc over 2019 levels. While overall power generation year-to-date has declined by an average of 6.1pc from 2019, the data show this shrinkage has been almost entirely absorbed
Also in this section
23 December 2025
Legislative reform in Germany sets the stage for commercial carbon capture and transport at a national level, while the UK has already seen financial close on major CCS clusters
15 December 2025
Net zero is not the problem for the UK’s power system. The real issue is with an outdated market design in desperate need of modernisation
28 November 2025
The launch of the bloc’s emissions trading system in 2005 was a pioneering step, but as the scheme hits 21 its impact as a driver of decarbonisation is still open to debate
18 November 2025
Vicki Hollub, president and CEO of Occidental, has been selected as the 2026 recipient of the Dewhurst Award, the highest honour bestowed by WPC Energy. The Dewhurst Award celebrates exceptional leadership, groundbreaking innovation and a lifetime of significant achievements in sup-port of the development and advancement of the energy industry.
