European Union countries are on track to install a record 89 GW of new renewable energy capacity in 2025, according to European Commission projections shared with Reuters.
Based on industry-supplied data, this includes 70 GW of solar and 19 GW of wind capacity.
If achieved, this would mark the highest-ever annual additions of both solar and wind energy in the EU. In 2024, the bloc installed 65.5 GW of new solar and 12.9 GW of wind capacity.
Accelerating renewable energy deployment is key to the EU’s climate targets and efforts to cut dependence on Russian gas by 2027.
However, the sector is facing challenges, including lengthy permitting processes and reductions in government incentives.
SolarPower Europe has warned it may revise its 2025 outlook. “Some big markets have taken significant steps back since the beginning of the year,” said CEO Walburga Hemetsberger. “It is looking less and less likely we’ll hit 70 GW this year.”
This follows policy changes such as France’s planned cuts to rooftop solar feed-in tariffs, announced in February.
Growth in EU solar installations slowed to 4% in 2024, down from over 50% the previous year. To meet 2030 targets, the EU would need to maintain annual additions of around 70 GW.
Wind developers are also under pressure. Orsted, a major player in the sector, cited rising costs and supply chain disruptions.
WindEurope, the industry association, expects 17.4 GW of new wind capacity to be installed in 2025 – a 35% increase on 2024 figures.
