Power production in the European Union (EU) 2021, by fuel

Nuclear plants are the main source of electricity production in the European Union, amounting to 731 terawatt-hours in 2021, or one-quarter of the power output that year. Gas followed, with 542 terawatt-hours generated. Among renewable energies, wind was the largest contributor, at 388 terawatt-hours.

Nuclear power in the EU

France is the main contributor to nuclear power production in the EU, accounting for more than half of the region’s total output in 2020. Germany, Spain, and Sweden are also among the main producers. Despite remaining the leading source of electricity, nuclear power generation in the EU has been on a mostly downward trend for more than a decade, with many countries committed to shutting down remaining reactors.

Fossil fuel persistence

Renewable electricity production in the EU has grown in the past decade. Nevertheless, fossil fuels still persist in the region’s electricity mix, with more than one terawatt-hour generated in 2021. In fact, coal-fired electricity production in the EU even increased that year, despite several countries having agreed to phase this fuel out. This was a result of low renewable output – in particular wind and hydropower – in addition to rising natural gas prices.