The EU is set to smash their goal of 27% by nearly double. If the current energy-sourcing trends continue the way they are now, then 50% of Europe's electricity will be from renewable sources. Other goals in the non-binding 2030 agreement include a 40% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions compared to the emission levels in 1990.

There are currently plans to overhaul the continent's energy grids to cope with these targets for 2030. This will involve sourcing electricity from sources other than burning carbon, for example solar power or wind power. The current electricity grid plans should be enough for a 27% output of renewable electricity, but this overhaul will need to speed up if the EU wants a chance of attaining the new 50% goal.

“Reaching the European Union 2030 energy and climate objectives means the share of renewables is likely to reach 50% of installed electricity capacity,” says the consultation paper, which is set to be published on July 15, according to The Guardian. “This means that changes to the electricity system in favor of decarbonisation will have to come even faster.”

However, not all of the EU countries are on track to meet even the 2020 goal to source a fifth of energy provision from renewables. Oliver Joy from the European Wind Energy Association said to The Guardian, "Even with a binding provision, we are seeing the Netherlands, U.K. and France potentially missing their 2020 target."

So, even though the trends are currently looking favorable for a future filled with renewable electricity, a lot needs to be done to achieve this goal. There are some countries, in and out of the EU, that source a good proportion of their electricity from renewable sources. Germany, for example, set a record last year of sourcing 50.6% of its energy from solar power. Costa Rica spent the first 75 days of 2015 using only renewable energy.

However, it shouldn't be that some countries excel whilst other fail to achieve renewable energy goals. In order to successfully make the switch to renewable electricity sources, every country is going to have to pull their weight.

Mai Linh