Renewable energy surges ahead in EU power generation for 2023

Green Forum
In 2023, according to Eurostat, renewable energy emerged as the leading source of electricity in the EU, accounting for 44.7% of total electricity production.

Renewables generated 1.21 million Gigawatt-hours (GWh), a 12.4% increase from 2022.

Conversely, electricity generated from fossil fuels decreased by 19.7% compared to the previous year, contributing 0.88 million GWh or 32.5% of total electricity production.

Nuclear plants produced 0.62 million GWh, or 22.8% of the EU's energy production, reflecting a 1.2% increase in production in 2023.

In 2023, preliminary data indicates that the EU's natural gas supply decreased to 12.8 million terajoules (TJ), a 7.4% drop from 2022, marking the lowest since 1995.

Coal supplies saw even sharper declines. Brown coal supply fell by 24.2% to 222,840 million tonnes, while hard coal supply dropped by 20.4% to 130,437 million tonnes. Both figures represent the lowest recorded values since the data series began.

Oil and petroleum products supply totaled 526,862 thousand tonnes, a 1.5% decline from 2022.

In contrast, renewable energy supply increased by 4.4% compared with 2022, reaching approximately 10.9 million TJ in 2023.

This data comes from recent Eurostat publications on energy. The article highlights key findings from the more detailed Statistics Explained article on energy production and imports.

RECOMMENDED
RECOMMENDED FROM THE HOME PAGE
Industry

Lidl Romania exceeds 2030 sustainability targets early

Lidl Romania has published its eighth sustainability report for the 2024 financial year, announcing accelerated progress in reducing environmental impact. The retailer has achieved its international 2030 target for transitioning to natural refrigerants, with these now used in 100% of logistics centres and 81.7% of stores, compared to the original goal of 100% of logistics centres and 40% of stores. The company has also increased its green energy usage to 80% of total consumption.

Energy

Dentons advises OX2 on 235 MW Romanian wind acquisition

Global law firm Dentons has advised OX2 on acquiring three wind power projects totaling 235 MW in Romania from Future Power. The projects, located in Vaslui and Vrancea counties, are expected to be commissioned between 2028 and 2030, subject to permitting.

Energy

Turkish investors pour millions into Romanian green energy

Romania is emerging as a key destination for Turkish renewable energy investments, attracting growing interest from industrial and financial groups. Real grid connection opportunities for projects, infrastructure modernisation potential, and investment framework stability make Romania strategic for Turkish capital as Europe accelerates its transition to sustainable sources and energy independence.

Business

Cost remains main driver and biggest barrier in sustainability

51% of Romanian entrepreneurs see sustainability as a way to reduce operational costs, yet the same proportion say implementation is too expensive, according to a new study by BRD Groupe Société Générale. Conducted among micro and small-to-medium enterprises, the research outlines how Romanian entrepreneurs perceive the opportunities and challenges of transitioning to sustainable business models.

READ MORE
Green Forum  |  11 December, 2025 at 11:36 AM