Electricity produced from renewable energy sources contributes more than 30 percent of total electricity consumption in the EU in 2016, according to Eurostat data. Hydro based electricity production is the most important source, followed by wind energy and then by solar energy. In five countries, more than half of the electricity consumed comes from renewable sources. These are Austria (73 percent), Sweden (65 percent), Portugal and Denmark (54 percent), and Latvia (51 percent).
In contrast, there are four countries where less than 10 percent of the electricity consumed in 2016 comes from renewable sources: Malta (6 percent), Luxembourg and Hungary (7 percent) and Cyprus (9 percent).
Earlier this month, the Austrian Presidency of the Council of EU proposed an initiative about the use of hydrogen as a renewable energy source, which was signed by a number of Member States of the bloc. Under this initiative, the involved parties are obligated to continue the research and investment in the production and use of hydrogen as a future-proof technology.
However, in order to achieve the European climate and energy targets by 2030, renewable energy forms must be strengthened and better integrated.
The big challenge today is to find a way to use renewable energy, even when the sun is on the opposite side of the planet, the water level is low and there is no wind. Energy storage solutions are essential in how to handle this energy when there is overproduction.
Meanwhile, a new study by the “Centre for Alternative Technologies” in Wales shows that clean energy can now meet all our electricity needs using only existing technologies. The report is based on “scenarios” aimed at achieving the objectives of the Paris Agreement developed in a global, regional, national and sub-national plan.
The report insists that renewable energy sources can conquer the world, which was a challenge for earlier studies suggesting that barriers to the economy without fossil fuels are impossible to overcome.
Vienna has already pointed out that the clean energy package will be a key priority of the Energy Policy during the Austrian Presidency.
