Wednesday 5 January 2011

EU on track to exceed 2020 renewables target

EU on track to exceed 2020 renewables target

The EU will exceed its target of meeting 20% of its energy consumption from renewables by 2020, according to the European Wind Energy Association.

The EWEA has just published an analysis of the National Renewable Energy Action Plans submitted by the 27 EU member states to the European Commission.

"Taken together, the action plans show that the EU-27 will meet 20.7 % of its 2020 energy consumption from renewables", said Justin Wilkes, policy director of the EWEA.

The action plans show thatone third (34%) of EU electricity demand will be supplied from renewables by 2020.

Wind energy will generate 14% of Europe's total electricity demand in 2020,more than any other renewable source, up from 4.2% in 2009.

Ireland will be the country with the highest wind energy penetration level at 36.4% of its total electricity demand, followed by Denmark at 31%.

Of the 27 member states, 15 plan to exceed their national target, led by Bulgaria at +2.8% above their target, Spain (+2.7%), Greece (+2.2%), Hungary (+1.7) and Germany (+1.6%).

Ten states, including the UK, will exactly meet their national target, and just two, Luxembourg (-2.1%) and Italy (-0.9%), have informed the EC that they envisage using co-operation mechanisms to meet their national targets.

"It is very encouraging that 25 of the 27 EU countries intend to either exceed or meet their target"said Mr Wilkes."This shows the vast majority of EU countries clearly understand the benefits of deploying renewable energy technologies, particularly wind power."

The 34% of EU electricity demand met by renewables in 2020 comprises 14% from wind energy (10% onshore, 4% offshore), 10.5% from hydro, 6.6% from biomass, 2.4% from solar photovoltaic, 0.5% from concentrated solar power, 0.3% from geothermal and0.1% from wave power.

Written by

Bruna Pinhoni

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