**EU Energy Mix Shifts as Natural Gas and Renewables Show Growth**
The energy landscape across the European Union (EU) is undergoing a significant transformation, according to preliminary data released by Eurostat this week. The year 2025 saw a notable increase in the supply of natural gas and renewable energy, while the use of coal and petroleum products continued to decline.
Natural gas supply in the EU rose by 2.3% compared to 2024, reaching approximately 13.1 million terajoules. This marks the second consecutive year of growth for natural gas, following a sharp decrease in 2023. The increase reflects a broader trend in energy consumption as the EU seeks to diversify its energy sources and reduce reliance on fossil fuels.
Renewable energy also demonstrated growth, with total supply amounting to 11.5 million terajoules, representing a 1.4% increase despite a significant drop in hydropower output. The growth in renewable energy is particularly noteworthy as it continues to play a crucial role in the EU's energy mix. Nuclear energy supply saw a modest rise of 0.2%, reaching 650,648 gigawatt-hours.
Conversely, the supply of coal has fallen to its lowest level since records began in 1990. Brown coal supply decreased by 7.7% to 184,741 thousand tonnes, while hard coal supply fell by 3.2% to 107,072 thousand tonnes. The trend in petroleum products was similarly downward, with a total supply of 448,656 thousand tonnes, reflecting a 2.8% decrease compared to the previous year.
In terms of electricity generation, renewable energy maintained its position as the leading source in the EU, contributing 47.2% of total production. However, this figure represents a slight decline of 0.5% from 2024. Electricity generated from fossil fuels increased by 3.2%, accounting for 29.6% of total electricity production, while nuclear energy contributed 23.2%.
A closer examination of renewable energy sources reveals that wind energy remains the dominant contributor, making up 37.5% of the total renewable output. Solar energy followed closely, accounting for 27.5%, while hydropower contributed 25.9%. Notably, solar energy experienced the most rapid growth among renewables, increasing by 24.6% throughout 2025, in stark contrast to hydropower, which saw a decline of 11.8%.
At the national level, Denmark led the way in renewable electricity generation, achieving an impressive 92.4% share. Austria and Portugal followed, with shares of 83.1% and 82.9%, respectively. These figures highlight the varying degrees of success among EU member states in transitioning to renewable energy sources.
In contrast, Cyprus faced challenges in expanding its renewable energy capacity. The island was identified as having the fifth lowest share of electricity generated from renewable sources in the EU for 2025. With a renewable energy share significantly below the EU average of 47.3%, Cyprus's situation underscores the ongoing difficulties it faces in enhancing its green energy initiatives. Other countries with low renewable shares included Malta at 16.2%, the Czech Republic at 16.6%, and Slovakia at 17.8%.
The data from Eurostat illustrates a clear shift in the EU's energy mix, with natural gas and renewables on the rise while coal and petroleum products decline. This trend reflects the EU's ongoing commitment to achieving a more sustainable and diversified energy system, aligning with broader climate goals. As member states continue to adapt to these changes, the disparities in renewable energy adoption highlight the varying challenges and progress across the union.