EU Clean Energy Push: Success With The Windmills …
- July 6th, 2010
- Posted by EUEditor
“Renewables†now account for 62% of the new electricity generation capacity installed in the EU in 2009, according to a new research report — signalling fast progress towards over one-third of all energy from renewable sources in ten years’ time.
The European Commission has reported on the study as follows:
The “Renewable Energy Snapshots” report, published 5.7.10 by the EC Joint Research Centre (JRC), shows that renewable energy sources accounted for 62% (17GW) * of the new electricity generation capacity installed in the EU27 in 2009 – up from 57% in 2008.
For the second year running, wind energy accounted for the largest share of the new capacity: 10.2 GW out of the 27.5 GW built –Â 38% of the total.
In absolute terms, renewables produced 19.9% of Europe’s electricity consumption last year.
Hydro power contributed with the largest share (11.6%), followed by wind (4.2%), biomass (3.5%), and solar (0.4%).
If current growth rates are maintained, in 2020 up to 1400 TWh * of electricity could be generated from renewable sources, the report concludes.
That would account for approximately 35-40% of overall electricity consumption in the EU, depending on the success of community policies on electricity efficiency — and would contribute significantly to the fulfillment of the 20% target for energy generation from renewables.
However it also advises that some issues need to be resolved for targets to be met, including: ensuring fair access to grids, substantial public research and development support and adaptation of current electricity systems to accommodate renewable electricity.
Reference
See also, EUAustralia Online, “Europe claims climate gains with its emissions tradeâ€, 22.6.10.
EC, Brussels, “Renewables account for 62% of the new electricity generation capacity …â€, IP/10/886, 5.7.10.
* GWh, gigawatt-hour; TWh, tetrawatt-hour; multiples of kilowatt-hour unit of measurement for energy.