Transition to a Green Economy through the Development of Renewable Energy in the European Union

The European Union is a leader in renewable energy development. In the first six months of 2024, the share of renewable energy in the EU's total generation reached a record high of 50%. The dynamics of the EU energy sector demonstrate a rapid transition to low-carbon technologies. Data for the first half of 2024 highlight significant progress in this direction: the share of solar and wind power plants has increased significantly, securing the achievement of 50%. This confirms the effectiveness of the EU's efforts to increase infrastructure capacity and implement innovative technologies in this area. For the first time in history, the total electricity generation from solar and wind installations reached 30% (386 TWh), which exceeded the 27% of fossil fuel-based energy production (343 TWh) over the same period. This article aims to examine the progress in the field of "green" energy, and assess the current situation and prospects for the development of the European Union economy. The analysis covers the period from the publication of the European Commission's Green Paper on the Future of Renewable Energy in 1996 to the present day. The main focus is on the strategy for the transition to a sustainable green economy, including key quantitative indicators characterizing the level of implementation of environmentally friendly technologies. The study concludes that renewable energy in the EU continues to actively develop and gain popularity among member states, creating prospects for further strengthening of a sustainable energy system.