The European Union (EU) is witnessing a significant transformation in its energy sector, where renewable sources like wind and solar power are emerging as dominant contributors to both employment and energy generation. According to Bruegel’s latest Clean Tech Tracker, wind and solar energy collectively account for nearly half of the jobs within the green sector, with 236,600 and 273,500 people engaged respectively. Germany stands out as the leader in this domain, boasting over 310,000 jobs dedicated to green technologies, primarily in wind (124,600 jobs) and solar (85,400 jobs). This trend is supported by a diverse employment landscape across the EU, wherein France, Spain, and Italy also showcase substantial contributions to the green workforce.
Renewable energy currently fulfills about a quarter of the EU’s total energy requirement, as indicated by Eurostat, which records a contribution of 24.5%. In terms of total employment, renewables support nearly 950,000 jobs across the region. This transition towards greener energy stems from a noticeable decline in fossil fuel usage, with coal seeing a significant drop of 481 Terawatt-hours (TWh) and nuclear energy decreasing by 240 TWh, while wind power has surged with an impressive increase of 451 TWh since the beginning of the 21st century. This reflects a broader trend among EU nations to pivot away from traditional energy sources and toward sustainable alternatives.
Electric vehicles (EVs) have become a key player in the EU’s green energy export sector, emerging as the most lucrative product with an export value exceeding €38 billion as of 2024. The growth in EV manufacturing capacity has been particularly notable in Germany, which leads with over 2 million units, with projections indicating it may surpass 2.7 million in the near future. France and Spain are also significant players in this market, with France reaching 400,000 units and Spain gearing up to exceed 1 million. This increasing capacity is crucial in meeting the EU’s climate goals while bolstering economic opportunities in green technology.
In the realm of battery production, Hungary holds a commanding lead, with an operational capacity of 87.5 Gigawatts (GW), closely followed by Poland at 86.5 GW. Future projections suggest Germany will ramp up its capacity to nearly 180 GW, while Hungary aims to push its numbers to approximately 190 GW, fueled by substantial Chinese investments. Despite these advancements, there exists skepticism regarding the long-term viability of EV demand in Europe, which has struggled to gain substantial traction. Hungary’s solar energy sector is also flourishing, as it currently produces the highest share of energy from photovoltaic sources among all EU member states, marking a 65-fold increase in capacity over the past decade.
When assessing renewable energy production, Europe as a collective generates around 1.47 million Gigawatt-hours (GWh) of renewable energy, comparable to the combined output of Canada, Greenland, the United States, and Mexico. Germany emerges as the predominant producer within this context, generating 251,000 GWh. Norway, the UK, Spain, and Sweden follow suit, strengthening the continent’s robust capacity in renewable energy production. IRENA highlights these contributions, showcasing Europe’s formidable position in the global renewable energy landscape.
The shift to renewable sources in Europe not only generates employment but also drives economic growth and innovation. Each country is leveraging its strengths to carve out a niche in the green energy sector, contributing to a collective reduction in carbon emissions and fostering a more sustainable future. The emphasis on wind, solar, and electric vehicle technologies is reshaping the energy landscape in the EU, paving the way for increased investment and development in these sectors, as governments and businesses adapt to an ever-evolving global energy market.
