About: renewables

US hopes to expand strategic minerals initiative

The US State Department hopes to expand a strategic minerals initiative aimed at ensuring supply chains for metals critical for batteries and wind and solar power as demand for green energy keeps growing despite the coronavirus, a top diplomat said on Tuesday (2 June).

Portugal’s solar energy auction breaks world record

Portugal's huge auction of solar energy broke a world record, with one of the 24 licences on offer selling for 14.76 euros per megawatt hour (Mwh), the secretary of state for energy Joao Galamba said on Tuesday (30 July).

Gas, a prominent guest at German energy transition event

As Germany is gradually phasing out nuclear and coal energy, Berlin is increasingly considering gas as key in bridging the gap between a fossil-fuels based and a low carbon economy.

Biofuels: Commission blacklists palm oil, throws soybeans lifeline

In an eagerly-awaited decision, the European Commission last week categorised palm oil as a high-emitting biofuel crop but provided some controversial exemptions for smallholders and spared soybeans from the delegated act's provisions.

Energy sector relieved after Germany appoints new state secretary

Germany's economy and energy minister Peter Altmaier has appointed municipal utility manager Andreas Feicht as the new state secretary for energy, putting an end to an embarrassing, nearly year-long void. Four key stakeholders have welcomed the appointment in comments made to EURACTIV.

EU’s renewable energy law not meant to support farmers, official admits

The updated renewable energy directive was not meant to support European farmers, but rather promote green energy in whatever form as long as it complies with sustainability criteria, a European Commission official has said.

Parliament rubber-stamps Europe’s 2030 clean energy laws

The European Parliament voted on Tuesday (13 November) a set of three clean energy laws for 2030, including binding targets for renewable energies, an indicative objective on energy savings and a separate text on the governance of the Energy Union.

Brussels remains guarded over ‘capacity mechanisms’ for power plants

The European Commission is trying to limit the development of so-called capacity mechanisms, which some member states have put in place as a way of ensuring electricity supply in situations of peak demand. EURACTIV France reports.

Straw is not waste but co-product, EU farmers tell Commission

The EU farmers’ association claims that straw is an agricultural co-product and not a waste, whereas the European Commission has listed it as waste to produce “advanced biofuel” to decarbonise the transport sector.

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.

RWE, E.ON reshape German power sector in Innogy asset swap deal

Germany's top utilities yesterday (11 March) announced plans to break up Innogy, whose assets will be divided among parent RWE and rival E.ON in the sector's biggest overhaul since a landmark move to exit nuclear power.

Germany’s ‘green’ energy production up 1,000% since 1990

Since 1990, the production of "green" electricity in Germany has increased by 1,000% and export rates, according to preliminary data for 2017, just smashed another record. EURACTIV Poland’s partner WysokieNapiecie.pl reports.

Commission tells Malaysia proposed biofuel policy respects WTO rules

The European Commission's proposal for the recast of the Renewable Energy Directive is in compliance with the EU’s commitments under the World Trade Organisation (WTO) rules, Commission sources told EURACTIV.com, replying to threats from Malaysia to refer the case to the WTO.

EU must not burn the world’s forests for ‘renewable’ energy

A flaw in Europe’s clean energy plan allows fuel from felled trees to qualify as renewable energy when in fact this would accelerate climate change and devastate forests, warn a group of scientists from the world’s leading universities.

Corporate giants urge EU to back 35% renewables target

A coalition comprising some of the world’s biggest companies has urged EU energy ministers to back a 35% target for renewable energy when they meet in Brussels next Monday (18 December).

Renewable energy goal ‘not on the table’ at EU ministerial

Energy ministers from the 28 EU member states are expected to steer clear of potentially divisive talks on the bloc’s renewable energy target for 2030 in order to agree a “general approach” when they meet in Brussels next Monday (18 December).

Member states’ answer to low renewables ambition: Interim targets

The European Parliament says the EU’s proposed 2030 target for renewable energy needs to be raised in order to speed up deployment early in the next decade. But EU member states have a different idea.

Luxembourg seeks to become Europe’s green finance hub

At the COP23 summit in Bonn, Luxembourg's finance and environment ministers joined with directors of the European Investment Bank to launch a de-risking mechanism that will allow financing of climate-friendly projects. 

EU palm oil policies are undermining Europe’s goals in South-East Asia

None of the palm oil producing governments have yet made any statement in the European media about the EU's plan to ban biofuels from palm oil. This op-ed by Malaysia's Datuk Seri Mah Siew Keong explains why the EU's palm oil policies can prove to be dangerous.

Greek energy companies annoyed by ‘late’ amendments to renewables regulation

Private energy providers are upset with Greek politicians, claiming that they make “last minute” amendments to bills that change the regulatory framework and distort the renewable energy market.

‘Energy dash for biomass’ risks wasting potential of EU’s bioeconomy

By failing to take a holistic approach and treat the LULUCF and renewable energy dossiers as separate and distinct issues, the EU is slicing Europe’s bioeconomy up like a piece of salami, warns Sylvain Lhôte.

Waste: Subsidies make it cheaper to burn than recycle

The growing trend of burning waste for energy undermines Europe’s recycling efforts by diverting waste to incinerators instead of having it reused or recycled, thereby defeating the purpose of the Commission's well-meant directive on minimising waste.

France looks to solar power ‘prosumers’ to underpin energy transition

France plans to more than double its solar power capacity in the next ten years and make it easier for citizens to become energy independent, as part of its energy transition plan. But closer inspections leaves room for doubt if Paris will make good on its promises.

Energy transition in France: What to expect from the new government?

The ‘Clean Energy for all Europeans’ package of legislation is the EU’s response to the Paris Agreement on climate change, setting out the bloc’s energy and climate policies for 2030.