About: Renewable Energy

Kazakhstan approves new green projects in a bid to cut fossil fuels in half by 2050

Kazakhstan‘s new leadership, faced with concurrent challenges of volatile oil prices and the coronavirus pandemic, has approved nineteen new renewable energy projects worth $1.1 billion in the country’s latest effort to go green and diversify its energy supply. To date,...

Germany’s transition to renewable power

Can renewable energies be used to keep the power grids running smoothly when the sun is not shining and the wind not blowing? Former Green Bundestag member, Hans-Josef Fell says they can and presents a proposal to change the German electrical grid. EURACTIV Germany reports.

German government defeats plan to abolish fines for wind power projects

The German government has rejected parliament proposals to ease restrictions on the construction of new wind turbines, exposing deep divisions in one of Europe's pioneering nations for renewable energies. EURACTIV Germany reports.

Germany’s new coal phase-out plan upsets country’s Coal Commission

Shortly after Germany announced plans to shut down its lignite-fired power plants, eight members of the country's Coal Commission voiced criticism that their work has been discredited and that these plans would result in an additional 40 million tons of CO2 emissions. EURACTIV Germany reports.

‘Green’ jobs see slight rise in Germany

In 2017, 263,883 people were employed in the environmental sector in Germany, which was about 12,600 more than in the previous year. Although this means that the amount of so-called "green jobs" saw a slight rise in Germany, the stagnating wind industry continues to hamper growth. EURACTIV Germany reports.

Germany eager to become global leader in developing hydrogen technologies

Germany intends to invest €100 million annually into the research of hydrogen technologies. This could be the business of the future, as well as the country's next top export. However, the future of green gas is still extremely shaky. EURACTIV Germany reports.

With new regulation complete, what’s next for EU biofuels?

After years of political wrangling over how to account for indirect land use change from biofuels in EU legislation, businesses now have the regulatory stability they’ve long been craving.

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).

‘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...

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?

‘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.

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.