About: Renewable Energy

Balearic Islands target 100% renewables, inspiring 26 EU islands

A plan by Spain's Balearic Islands to switch to 100% renewable energy and ditch coal power became law last week, while 26 islands across the EU are launching a new clean energy strategy on Monday (18 February).

China seen as ‘absolute winner’ of clean energy transition

The transformation brought by renewable energies will alter the global distribution of power, relations between states, and the environmental drivers of geopolitical instability, according to a major international study published on Friday (11 January).

Local Energy Communities: driver of the 2050 low-carbon agenda?

Households and neighbourhoods feeding small-scale electricity and heat into a decentralised European energy grid: this is the vision developed by proponents of microgeneration. As much as half of EU citizens – including local communities, schools and hospitals – could be...

Europe needs a new governance mechanism for sustainability

The European Union unveiled a strategy last week to become the world's first climate neutral economy by 2050, generating a positive momentum ahead of the COP24 in Katowice, writes Luca Jahier.

‘Yellow vests’ show limits of consumer acceptance on climate change

As the European Commission unveiled its long-term vision for greenhouse gas reduction on Wednesday (28 November), a yellow cloud hung over the grand pronouncements.

Macron wants France to become carbon neutral by 2050

Emmanuel Macron has presented the main lines of his energy policy. In order to be carbon neutral in 2050, France will accelerate the development of renewable energies, while not giving up nuclear energy. EURACTIV France reports.

Trans-Europe Express – Europe’s door of the desert

Known as ‘the door of the desert’ on the edge of the Sahara, the Moroccan town of Ouazarzate is home to film studios where historical epics such as Gladiator and Troy are made for Hollywood. Just as epic is the 3,000...

Researcher: ‘The greatest bottlenecks can be expected for lithium and cobalt’

As excitement builds about the opportunities of the new green economy, concerns are growing as well. The economic transition will require new grid infrastructure, new distribution models and, perhaps most importantly, more raw materials, says Kornelis Blok.

Europe’s electricity market: Ensuring supply security in the transition to renewables

The on-going transformation of the EU power industry is leading policymakers to re-evaluate the current design of electricity markets. Electricity generated from renewable sources has become one of the most important sources of electricity, paving the way for a transition towards a low-carbon energy system. 

Leap-frogging the African electricity grid with solar

Mobile phone technology made landlines obsolete in sub-Saharan Africa years before Europeans began to give up their home handsets. Will off-grid solar do the same in the energy sector?

Putting agriculture at the heart of Africa’s rising

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Farming accounts for around 60% of all jobs in sub-Saharan Africa. Governments, the African Union and the EU are keen to promote the industrialization of the African farming sector. But rapid population growth, the effects of climate change and lack of access to finance are among the threats to the future growth of African agriculture and its capacity to feed its people.

Higher shares of renewables for higher levels of electrification

A deep decarbonisation of the European economy is doable, but it will rely heavily on an increased uptake of electricity – even if the challenges are very different across the individual use sectors, writes Kristian Ruby.

‘Super Grids Silk Road’ takes shape in Kazakhstan

A series of conferences dedicated to the China-promoted One Belt One Road initiative are taking place in the capital of Kazakhstan, Astana. Plans to launch a gigantic renewable energy project with the potential to supply the EU were also mooted.

MEPs and governments at standoff over energy efficiency

Mandate of Bulgarian presidency unclear after government changes in Italy and Spain.

Palm oil to be phased out in EU by 2030

The use of palm oil as fuel should disappear in Europe by 2030 under a reform of the bloc’s renewable energy laws agreed this morning after all-night negotiations.

EU strikes deal on 32% renewable energy target and palm oil ban after all-night session

Talks on renewable energy policy in Europe reached un unexpected breakthrough early this morning after negotiators from the European Parliament and  EU member states were able to reach a compromise on a 32% headline objective and a complete phase out of palm oil use in transport by 2030.

Video highlights: Spain and Italy may stoke clean energy shakeup today

The degree to which member state positions on the EU’s clean energy package have shifted was on display on Monday (11 June) when energy ministers met for a council meeting in Luxembourg. EURACTIV brings you a video compilation from the public debate.

Greece criticised for lacking modern energy plan to ditch coal

In contrast with many EU countries, Greece’s decarbonisation process is lagging behind. A growing number of voices are now calling for an up-to-date energy transition roadmap focusing on renewable energy and green gas.

EU, Cuba build ties in face of US pressure

The EU and Cuba signed a renewable energy deal on Tuesday (15 May), a step towards normalising relations in defiance of Washington's continuing hardline stance on Havana.

China outshines Europe in 2017 clean power investment ranking

Solar power dominated a global ranking of new renewable energy investments “like never before” last year, with China accounting for more than half of the world’s new capacity, the UN said on Thursday (5 April). Investments in Europe, on the other hand, recorded a massive drop.

IEA scenarios ‘inconsistent’ with Paris climate goals, study warns

The International Energy Agency has wrongly guided governments into decisions about oil, gas and coal use that are inconsistent with the long-term climate objectives of the Paris Agreement, according to a new report out on Thursday (5 April).

International Maritime Organisation needs better governance, NGO says

The International Maritime Organisation has moved too slowly on drafting its greenhouse gas strategy and reducing emissions from shipping, Transparency International has warned, urging the global shipping regulator to improve its governance, transparency and efficiency.

Seán Kelly MEP: Gas is ‘preferred option’ as back-up for renewables

Intermittent renewable electricity will need backup for at least the next 20 or 30 years, says Irish MEP Seán Kelly. As the least dirty among fossil fuels, natural gas is probably the most cost-effective and “preferred option,” he argues.

German power deal spells demise of the integrated utility model

An all-German deal to split Innogy between RWE and E.ON looks set to create a template for European utilities M&A that includes the demise of the integrated model, no more big cross-border deals and a quest for emerging market growth.