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The EU's greenhouse gas emission intensity of electricity generation has kept falling, making the power sector a decarbonisation success story. In 2025, one kilowatt hour is estimated to have emitted 3% less GHGs than in 2024 and 41% less than a decade ago. Driven by renewables growth, this trend strengthens the contribution of electrification to climate action, energy security and competitiveness. The EU Electrification Action Plan proposes a 46% target for electricity in final energy consumption by 2040, stressing the importance to decarbonise electricity supply.
Figure 1. Greenhouse gas emission intensity of electricity generation, EU level
The EU electricity sector is expected to provide one of the most significant contributions to climate change mitigation by 2030 and be a cornerstone for the Union to reach net climate neutrality by 2050. For that to occur, the greenhouse gas (GHG) emission intensity of the sector should keep falling through the end of this decade.
In 2025, the EU’s electricity sector was estimated to be 64% less GHG intensive than it was in 1990 and 3% less than in 2024. In comparison with 2024, solar PV continued its growth (21%), wind and nuclear power remained stable (-2% and 0%, respectively), while hydro power output decreased considerably (-12%). Coal generation too continued its long-term decline (-4% compared with 2024), while gas generation went up by 9%. These trends led to a limited increase in electricity generation in 2025 (1% greater compared with 2024).
To reduce the EU’s net GHG emissions by 55% by 2030 (compared with 1990) and reach carbon neutrality by 2050, electricity generation across the EU needs to decarbonise further to remain consistent with the EU's 2030 climate objectives. Figure 1 visualises indicative intensity levels that would be consistent with the EU’s climate targets.
Beyond emissions reductions, further decarbonisation of the power sector could also strengthen Europe's competitiveness and resilience. In particular, today's geopolitical context reinforces the strategic case for rapid decarbonisation. Reducing dependence on imported fossil fuels can simultaneously lower emissions, strengthen energy security and shield consumers from fossil fuel price volatility. Recent EEA analysis shows that by 2030, renewables could reduce average wholesale electricity prices, provided grids, storage and demand response keep pace. However, gas prices still drive wholesale electricity prices today: gas price volatility cost the EU EUR 13 billion by mid-April 2026, while renewables saved users EUR 29 billion.
Additional policies and measures are needed to deploy renewable energy sources faster, provide incentives to users to save energy and participate actively in the electricity market, and ensure an timely investment in electricity grids, storage and other enabling infrastructure electricity infrastructures across the European Union.
Figure 2. Greenhouse gas emission intensity of electricity generation, country level
The GHG intensity of electricity production differs significantly between Member States, as illustrated in Figure 2. Cyprus, Poland, Estonia and Malta are estimated to have had the highest electricity carbon intensity in 2025, due to the use of solid fossil fuels, fewer renewables and limited, or no, nuclear power in their national mixes.
In eight additional Member States, the carbon intensity was higher than the EU average (Czechia, Germany, Greece, the Netherlands, Ireland, Bulgaria, Italy and Romania). At the same time, the GHG intensities for electricity production were lowest in Sweden, Finland and Luxembourg because of their high share of low-carbon electricity sources (renewables and nuclear power).
Long-term reductions in the carbon intensity of electricity generation also vary considerably across countries. Estimates show the highest rates of decarbonisation in electricity production over the 1990-2025 period in Luxembourg (93% reduction), Denmark (89%), Finland and Portugal (87%) and Slovakia (86%). In non-EU EEA countries, all electricity produced in Iceland and most produced in Norway comes from renewable sources, therefore their GHG emission intensities are very low. Türkiye has a relatively high GHG emission intensity of electricity generation.