What are the Europe's Renewable Energy targets?
The Renewable Energy Directive adopted in 2009 sets binding targets for renewable energy. It focuses on achieving a 20% share of renewable energy in the Europe overall energy consumption by 2020. Every State has to reach individual targets for their overall share of renewable energy in energy consumption.These targets can be reached by increasing the share of energy from renewable sources, including wind power, solar power, hydro-electric power, tidal power, geothermal energy and biomass.
The renewable energy targets aim to:
– reduce pollution and greenhouse gas emissions
– decrease renewable energy production costs
– diversify our energy supply by reducing dependence on oil and gas
How the production of renewable has changed in Europe between 2003 and 2013?
The rapid deployment of renewable energy technologies, and their even greater deployment in the near future, raises challenges and opportunities regarding their integration into energy supply systems. Energy systems are needed to meet the demands for a broad range of services. Energy systems include an energy supply sector and the end-use technology to provide the aforementioned energy services.
The bar chart shows the growth in electricity generated from renewable energy sources over a period of 10 years.
In the case at hand it can be observed that the quantity of renewable energy produced from 2003 to 2013 has increased by around 100 000 tonnes this means that increased overall by 84.4% equivalent to an average increase of 6.3% per year. Furthermore in 2013, renewables accounted for more than 56% of net additions to global power capacity and represented far higher shares of capacity added in several countries. The share of renewable energy in gross final energy consumption is identified as a key indicator for measuring progress under the Europe 2020 strategy for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth.
Does the EU have any targets beyond 2020?
Yes, in 2014 the 2030 Framework for Climate and Energy was approve. It sets out predictable energy and climate objectives for 2030. The renewable energy target is to reach at least 27% of renewable energy in overall energy consumption by 2030, with flexibility for Member States to set national objectives. This level of renewable energy would come with significant benefits in terms of greater reliance on indigenous energy sources and in terms of energy trade. The target will also continue to drive growth in the renewables sector, with the share of renewable energy in the electricity sector increasing from 25% today to at least 45% in 2030.
The map is designed to show the production level of RE of each Member State in 2014 whis is the year when the 'Framework for Climate and Energy' was adopted. It is clear that countries investing and managing economic resource in electricity generated from renewable energy are the richest in Europe. Indeed, Germany is the number-one of the Gross domestic product (GDP) chart followed by United Kingdom, France, Italy and Spain.