Renewable and nuclear sources account for 70% of the EU's electricity mix.
EnvironmentEuropean Union
- Omissions
- The MEP did not specify the reference year for the 70% figure. The most recent official Eurostat publication (Energy in Europe – 2026 edition) likely reflects 2024 data, while the Ember report covers calendar year 2025. Both align closely with the claimed figure.
- The claim aggregates two distinct categories — renewables and nuclear — into a single 'clean sources' framing, which glosses over the fact that nuclear energy is not classified as renewable under EU energy policy and is treated separately in most official statistics.
- The MEP's party affiliation (Fianna Fáil, a centrist/liberal Irish party) does not suggest a strong incentive to cherry-pick on this topic, though the framing of nuclear as 'clean' alongside renewables is a political choice not universally shared across EU member states.
- Sources
- PrimaryEurostat – Energy in Europe – 2026 editionRenewable energy (48%) and fossil fuels (28%) were the leading sources in electricity production ahead of nuclear power plants (23%). Combined renewables and nuclear: 48% + 23% = 71% of EU electricity generation.
- PrimaryEurostat – Nuclear energy statisticsIn 2024 at EU level, 23.3% of all electricity produced was generated by nuclear power plants.
- SecondaryEmber – European Electricity Review 2026In 2025, wind and solar reach 30% of EU electricity generation; renewables provided nearly half of EU power. Combined with nuclear (~23%), the low-carbon share reaches approximately 70–73%.