**EU Coal Consumption Reaches New Record Lows as Phaseout Accelerates**
The European Union has reached a significant milestone in its energy transition, with coal's share of total electricity production falling to a historic low of 9.2% in 2025. This data, released by Eurostat on Thursday, highlights the ongoing shift away from coal as a primary energy source within the bloc.
The decline in coal usage marks a continuation of a trend that has been evolving over several decades. Notably, coal's share of power generation dipped below the 10% threshold for the first time in 2024. In 2025, hard coal contributed 3.7% to the EU's gross electricity output, equating to approximately 105,601 gigawatt-hours, while brown coal accounted for 5.5%, or 154,186 gigawatt-hours.
This dramatic reduction in coal's role in electricity generation is a stark contrast to the situation in 1990 when coal represented more than one-third of the EU's total electricity production. By the year 2000, this figure had already decreased to 30.4%. The downward trend has been relatively steady, with only brief increases in coal's share noted during certain periods, specifically from 2011 to 2012 and again from 2021 to 2022.
As coal's significance in the energy mix has diminished, the hierarchy of primary energy sources for power generation in Europe has also shifted. In 1990, hard coal and brown coal were the second and third largest contributors to electricity generation, providing 19.8% and 15.3% of total output, respectively. However, by 2025, both forms of coal had fallen in rank, with hard coal and brown coal occupying the seventh and sixth positions, respectively. This decline has seen nuclear energy, natural gas, and renewable energy sources take precedence.
Nuclear energy surpassed both hard and brown coal in the power generation rankings as early as 1994, while natural gas overtook them in 2019. The rise of renewable energy sources has been particularly notable, with hydroelectric power and wind energy exceeding coal output in 2023, and solar power following suit in 2024.
The reduction in coal consumption aligns with a broader trend of decreasing fossil fuel extraction and usage across Europe. In 2025, the consumption of hard coal in the EU fell to an estimated historic low of 107 million tonnes, while brown coal consumption reached a new low of 184 million tonnes. This decline is largely attributed to national policies implemented by individual member states aimed at phasing out fossil fuels from power and heat generation entirely.
Portugal has been at the forefront of this transition, having ceased the use of hard coal for electricity generation in 2021. Similarly, Slovakia halted brown coal production in 2024. As a result of these actions, only eight EU member states continued to produce brown coal by 2025.
The significant drop in coal consumption and production underscores the EU's commitment to reducing its carbon footprint and transitioning towards more sustainable energy sources. As the bloc continues to implement policies aimed at reducing reliance on fossil fuels, the future of coal in Europe appears increasingly uncertain.
This shift not only reflects changing energy policies but also aligns with global trends towards cleaner energy solutions, as countries around the world seek to address climate change and promote environmental sustainability. The EU's progress in reducing coal consumption serves as a potential model for other regions aiming to transition to greener energy sources.
As the energy landscape evolves, the European Union is poised to continue its efforts in fostering a more sustainable and resilient energy system, with coal's diminishing role being a critical component of this transformation.