Of the 34 ENTSO-EEuropean Network of Transmission System Operators for Electricity, which has 34 member countries and 41 transmission system operator (TSO) members. Its purpose is to promote important aspects of electricity policy such as security, renewable energy development and the power market. ENTSO-E works closely with the European Commission and is the backbone of the European electricity market countries, 15 have electricity mixes that include nuclear. Coverage of demand by nuclear generation was 24% in 2018, broadly unchanged from a year earlier (+0.7%).

Nuclear generation rose in France and, to a lesser extent, in the Czech Republic, due to greater availability of the nuclear fleets in those countries. Conversely, it contracted sharply in Great Britain, Sweden and Spain.

Data calculated for the period from July 2017 to June 2018 vs. the previous 12 months

Fossil-fired thermal generation declined in Europe and covered 39% of demand in ENTSO-E countries in 2017-2018. Generation contracted sharply in several countries, particularly Germany and Great Britain. In France, increases in nuclear and hydropower output made it possible to rely less on fossil-fired plants, such that coverage of demand dipped back below 10%.

Data calculated for the period from July 2017 to June 2018 vs. the previous 12 months

Hydropower generation increased in Europe and covered 17.6% of demand in ENTSO-E countries, up from 15.7% in the previous 12-month period. This increase reflected higher rainfall, particularly in the Alps and Pyrenees. Coverage exceeded 50% in countries geographically situated in such a way as to allow a large number of hydropower plants (Norway, Iceland, Switzerland and Austria).

Data calculated for the period from July 2017 to June 2018 vs. the previous 12 months

Wind power covered more than 20% of demand in Denmark, Ireland, Portugal and Germany in 2018. The rate even exceeded 40% in Denmark, with a third of production coming from offshore farms. Average coverage in ENTSO-E countries ended the year at 11%, which was higher than in the previous 12-month period.

Data calculated for the period from July 2017 to June 2018 vs. the previous 12 months

Across ENTSO-E countries, solar power covered 3.4% of demand in 2018, up slightly from a year earlier. Germany and Italy accounted for more than 50% of solar power generated in Europe.

Data calculated for the period from July 2017 to June 2018 vs. the previous 12 months

Renewable energy generation increased in Europe though output still varied greatly from one country to the next. In Norway, renewable output exceeded domestic consumption, though other types of generation are available if needed to ensure uninterrupted power supply throughout the year. Coverage rates exceeded 40% in Germany and hit 34% in Italy and 35% in Spain.

Average coverage of demand by renewable sources in ENTSO-E countries was 36%, up from the previous period thanks to abundant rainfall and ever increasing wind power generation.

Data calculated for the period from July 2017 to June 2018 vs. the previous 12 months