Why EU renewables slipped below last year’s level despite solar surge

illuminem summarises for you the essential news of the day, reviewed by our editorial team. Read the full piece on Euronews or enjoy below:

🗞️ Driving the news: Renewables supplied 54.1% of EU electricity generation in Q2 2026, slightly below 54.3% a year earlier, despite a major solar expansion
• Total generation rose 3.2% year-on-year, while gas generation increased 3.9% and renewable generation 2.8%.

🔭 The context: Solar accounted for 41.6% of renewable generation, up from 37% in Q2 2025
• However, drought and low rainfall reduced hydropower output in several countries, while weak wind and hydro generation helped keep gas generation at 13.3%
• Analysts cited by Euronews argue that a more diversified mix of solar, wind, hydro, storage and flexibility is needed

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: The figures show that expanding renewables does not automatically reduce fossil-fuel generation when electricity demand rises or weather conditions weaken hydro and wind output
• More clean generation, alongside storage and grid flexibility, can help reduce gas dependence and associated emissions

⏭️ What’s next: The EU faces the challenge of matching rising electricity demand with enough low-carbon generation and flexibility
• Solar is expanding rapidly, but strengthening storage, grids and a diversified renewable mix will be important to reduce reliance on gas

💬 One quote: “Gas held at 13.3 per cent, even with renewables above 50%.” — Jonathan Bruegel, IEEFA

📈 One stat: 54.1% — the share of EU electricity generated from renewables in Q2 2026

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