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Renewable energies: 2025 assessment and key points for 2026

After a pivotal 2025 for energy in Europe, renewables have solidified their position as the main driver of the electricity grid. In this article, we review the major milestones of the past year and analyze the trends that will shape clean energy generation in 2026, based on the latest industry data and statistics.

2025 Retrospective: The year Europe almost reached 50%

Data from Eurostat and Ember for the past year show a continent decoupling its economy from fossil fuels. For the first time ever, in 2025 renewable energy sources provided almost half (481,000 kJ) of the EU's total annual electricity generation.

The unstoppable momentum of solar photovoltaics

According to SolarPower Europe, 2025 ended with over 60 GW of new solar capacity connected to the grid. This increase has been the main driver behind the reduction in wholesale market prices during peak sunlight hours.

Wind energy resilience

WindEurope data indicates a strong 2025 for both onshore and offshore wind, with total installed capacity across the EU already exceeding 250 GW.

The structural decline of gas and coal

The IEA (International Energy Agency) confirms that fossil fuel-based generation reached historic lows in 2025. Grid stability increasingly depends on the "green mix," which has successfully filled the gap left by the decommissioning of coal plants across the continent.

Decarbonization milestones

The carbon intensity of the European network has continued to fall, putting the EU firmly on track to meet its 2030 "Fit for 55" targets ahead of schedule.

Trends 2026: electrification, flexibility and intelligence

This year will focus more on optimizing the system than on energy generation itself. According to IRENA and the latest outlook from the European Commission, these are the four trends that will define the next 12 months:

The Storage Era (BESS)

2026 is destined to be the "Year of the Battery." To manage the variability of solar and wind power, Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) in battery format utility scale They are becoming the standard. This change is crucial to avoid power outages.curtailment) and manage price volatility.

Mass electrification of demand

 Driven by the expansion of data centers and the intensive use of Artificial Intelligence (growing at a compound annual growth rate -CAGR- of 441%3T), electricity demand is expected to increase sharply. This "New Demand" requires a grid that is not only green, but also smart.

Hybridization and Repowering

The industry is moving towards hybrid plants, combining wind and solar at a single connection point, and towards the"repowering""(repowering) of older wind farms with modern and more efficient turbines to maximize the use of existing land.

Network modernization

The implementation of the EU's "Network Action Plan" will be accelerated in 2026, focusing on cross-border interconnections to ensure that green energy produced in the sunny south can power the industrial north.

Audax Generation Strategy: Driving the 2026 Roadmap

In the context of a Europe where "renewables come first," Audax has developed its 2026-2030 Strategic Plan with a special focus on high-efficiency generation. Its strategy is based on three pillars that directly address market trends for 2026:

Scale the generation footprint

We entered 2026 with 325 MW of operating assets in 6 countries and a high-visibility project pipeline of 1,037 MW. Our goal is to reach more than 500 MW of installed capacity by 2030, ensuring a solid and diversified renewable energy base in the most competitive European markets.

Pioneers in hybridization (Generation + BESS)

One of our main focuses for 2026 is the hybridization of our assets. By integrating BESS systems with our operational photovoltaic plants, with our pilot project underway for a portion of installed capacity of 4.9 MW, we are going beyond simple generation. This allows us to mitigate power outages, arbitrage energy prices, and offer ancillary services to the grid, maximizing the value of every GWh produced.

Strategic repowering

We maximize the potential of every hectare. By 2026, we are prioritizing repowering projects (repowering) for our wind assets that are nearing the end of their useful life. By replacing older turbines with the latest high-efficiency technology, we can significantly increase power generation at our existing locations without requiring new land permits, leveraging our "veteran" sites for the next generation of green energy.

Towards an integrated and resilient energy system

The 2025 figures confirm that the European energy transition has reached a point of no return, with renewables now providing the majority of the continent's electricity. As we move into 2026, the sector's focus is evolving beyond simply expanding capacity towards a more sophisticated, flexible, and intelligent energy system. Success in the coming years will be defined by the ability to manage this clean energy efficiently through large-scale storage, grid infrastructure modernization, and hybrid technologies, thereby ensuring a stable, affordable, and fully decarbonized supply for new electricity demand. 

 

Key sources and references:

 

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