Currently, according to the latest Eurostat data, the percentage of energy from renewable sources in the European Union reached on average 17% of the final consumption. An important figure, if the 2004 data is taken into account, since at that time it only reached 7%.
The EU's mandatory target is for 2020% of energy to come from renewable sources by 20, and to raise this to at least 27% by 2030. However, new proposals seek to increase this figure even further, leading to a significant boost across all member nations.
The commitment to renewable energy has a clear purpose: to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This would not only improve air quality, but also increase the region's energy security.
|
Country |
Percentage of energy from renewable sources (% of final consumption) |
|
1. Sweden |
53,8 |
|
2 Finland |
38,7 |
|
3. Latvia |
37,2 |
|
4. austria |
33,5 |
|
5. Dinamarca |
32,2 |
|
6 Estonia |
28,8 |
|
7. Portugal |
28,5 |
|
8 Croatia |
28,3 |
|
9. Lithuania |
25,6 |
|
10. Romania |
25 |
|
14. Spain |
17,2 |
Renewable initiatives from various countries
Offshore wind farms in Portugal
In the last ten years, being offshore wind farm of the Iberian Peninsula is already a reality off the coast of Viana do Castelo, a Portuguese territory just 60 kilometres from the border with Galicia. This new initiative reflects the advantage that Portugal has in the field of renewable energies, especially compared to Spain.
Although in our country, onshore wind initiatives are prominent, the lack of offshore parks puts Spain at a disadvantage in this sector. Paradoxically, Spanish companies such as Iberdrola y Gamesa They are world leaders in offshore wind technology, standing out in countries such as the United Kingdom and Germany.
France: Doubling its wind capacity
France, aiming to double wind power generation capacity by 2023, has undertaken a significant reform of its administrative processes, which has allowed the development of wind energy projects to be accelerated.
By removing bureaucratic barriers, France is on track to achieve its goal of becoming a major player in the renewable energy industry. However, France's dependence on the nuclear energy remains a key issue for the future.
Denmark's challenges
Since the 1970s, when it invested in wind energy in the wake of the oil crisis, Denmark has been a world leader in this technology. Today, the country has ambitious goals:
- Remove the carbon completely in 8 years.
- 50% of electricity demand covered by wind energy by 2020.
- 100% renewable energy in electricity and heating by 2035.
- 40% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions compared to 1990 levels by 2020.
These objectives demonstrate the country's commitment to the energy transition.
Finland bans coal
Finland, one of the most advanced countries in renewables, has proposed a total ban on burning coal for electricity production before 2030By comparison, countries like Spain appear to be lagging behind, with a recent increase in coal burning of 23%.
Norway: An example to follow
En Norway, 25% of cars sold are electric. In addition, the country is almost self-sufficient in renewable energy thanks to its enormous hydroelectric resources.
This model is sustainable thanks to the decision to export its oil instead of burning it, using the revenue generated to develop its green energy infrastructure.
The global increase in renewable capacity, especially in Europe, has been significant over the last decade. The commitment of the most advanced countries shows that, although there is still much to be done, the trend towards more sustainable energy is clear and growing.