Renewables offer EU more power
Renewable energy is finding a strong niche in the EU power market. In a
new report, the Joint Research Centre (JRC) of the European Commission
reveals that renewable energy sources represented 62% of the new
electricity generation capacity in the EU-27 in 2009, up 5%
year-on-year.
With an output of 10.2 gigawatts (GW), wind energy generated the
biggest share of the new electricity capacity, followed by photovoltaics
(21%), biomass (2.1%), hydro (1.4%) and concentrated solar power
(0.4%). Gas-fired power plants (24%), coal-fired power stations (8.7%),
oil (2.1%), waste incineration (1.6%) and nuclear fission (1.6%) made up
the remaining new capacity.
The 'Renewable Energy Snapshots' report says renewables also
represented nearly 20% (608 terawatt hours (TWh)) of electricity
consumed by Europeans in 2009, in absolute terms. Hydro-electric power
tops the list with 11.6% of the total share, followed by wind (4.2%) and
biomass (3.5%). As the lowest contributor of the four, solar power
contributed just 0.4%.
The JRC notes in its report that the sources expected to generate
the biggest annual energy output are gas-fired power stations (28
TWh/year), wind (20 TWh) and photovoltaics (5.6 TWh).
Citing data from the EU Member States, Eurostat, industry
associations and research industries, the JRC says that if current
growth rates are maintained, renewable energy sources could generate up
to 1,400 TWh of power in 2020. This figure would cover around 37.5% of
the total electricity consumed in the EU. The JRC notes that this
depends on how successful electricity efficiency policies are. By
boosting renewables, Europe takes one major step closer to meeting its
20% target for renewable energy generation.
But the report also shows that the EU must address and settle a
number of issues if the targets are to be met, including providing ample
research and development (R&D) support, as well as adapting the
existing power systems to make room for renewable electricity. 'Cost
reduction and accelerated implementation will depend on the production
volume, and not on time,' the report highlights.
A breakdown of the statistics indicates that wind energy accounted
for more than 74 GW of total installed capacity in 2009. Wind energy has
already surpassed the 40 GW target outlined in the 2010 White paper.
Meanwhile, the European Wind Energy Association has said it hopes that
the EU could clinch 230 GW of installed capacity between now and 2020.
Such an amount could cover around 20% of electricity demand in Europe.
The JRC also indicates that a twofold increase in biomass will
result if the current growth stays on track. The EU could post 200 TWh
of biomass output in 2010, up 92 TWh from 2008. 'Other energy uses, such
as heat and transport fuels, compete for this particular source,'
according to the JRC, 'which could potentially hinder the development of
bioelectricity.' Biomass could strengthen its role as a power source if
it becomes storable for use on demand.
Installed capacity of concentrated solar power is small but growing.
The report shows that the figure could rise by almost 30 GW between now
and 2020 if the European Solar Industry Initiative (ESII) is realised.
Spain is home to the majority of concentrated solar power projects being
implemented in Europe.
Renewable Energy Snapshots 2010
Source: Community R&D Information Service (CORDIS)