The 7% reduction in energy requirements, thanks to better energy efficiency, meant that fossil-power generation was 12% lower last winter compared to that of 2021. Energy experts say that gas power generation was 13% lower, while coal power plants saw an 11% lower output, Euronews.green reports.

Out of all EU countries, 18% still use coal power, and 15 of those reduce the capacity of their plants, including Poland and Germany, which accounted for 70% of that whole reduction. Portugal saw the biggest drop in fossil-derived power of all EU countries, as it closed its only remaining coal power plant back in 2021.

Overall, in the EU, renewables surpassed fossil-power generation for the first time ever, so sources like wind and solar accounted for 40% of the energy mix, compared to 37% for fossil-power plants.

Ember analyst, Dr Chris Rosslowe, reports that "Europe faced a crisis winter, with spiralling energy costs and supply concerns triggered by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine."

The expert added that, in the future, European authorities won't be able to rely on mild weather and reduced demand, so they will have to step up the production, if necessary.

Romania, Slovakia and Greece were the only three EU states that were able to achieve the voluntary 10% reduction in energy demand, an emergency target set by European authorities.

The average in terms of energy reduction across the bloc between all the countries was 6.2% between November and March, which translates to 12 billion euros worth of savings.

While some energy demand reduction efforts were voluntary, experts say that others were due to the increased energy prices, which forced the population and industries to cut on power use.