In recent years, Europe has been making significant progress in terms of using renewable energy sources. The use of solar, wind, hydro, and geothermal energy has been increasing rapidly, and the trend is showing no signs of slowing down. As a result, the continent is now able to produce more electricity from renewable energy sources than ever before.
According to the latest data, Europe generated a record high of 47.5% of its electricity from renewable energy sources in 2020. This is a significant increase of renewable energy from the previous year, when the figure was 44.1%. The increase in the use of renewable energy has been driven by the expansion of wind and solar power, which are now the continent's two largest sources of renewable energy.
Wind power is the biggest contributor to the increase in renewable energy production, with a total of 22.1% of Europe's electricity coming from wind turbines. The number of wind turbines in Europe has been increasing rapidly in recent years, with many countries investing heavily in this technology. This is due to its low cost and ability to generate large amounts of clean, renewable energy.
Solar power is also making a big contribution to the increase in renewable energy production in Europe. In 2020, solar panels generated 10.7% of the continent's electricity, making it the second-largest source of renewable energy. The number of solar panels in Europe has been increasing rapidly, and the technology is becoming increasingly affordable. This is helping to make solar energy more accessible to households and businesses, which is leading to its increased use.
Hydro power is another important source of renewable energy in Europe. In 2020, it generated 7.6% of the continent's electricity, making it the third-largest source of renewable energy. Many countries in Europe have a long tradition of using hydro power, and this technology is still widely used today.
Geothermal energy is a less well-known source of renewable energy in Europe, but it is still making a significant contribution to the increase in renewable energy production. In 2020, geothermal energy generated 2.1% of the continent's electricity, making it the fourth-largest source of renewable energy.
In conclusion, Europe's progress in using renewable energy sources is impressive and encouraging. The continent is now generating more electricity from renewable energy sources than ever before, and fortunately this trend is not showing indications of slowing down. With the increasing availability and affordability of renewable energy technologies, it is likely that Europe will continue to make significant progress in this area in the coming years.