panorama

Wind and solar overtake fossil gas to produce record fifth of EU electricity

12
Wind and solar generated a record fifth (22 percent) of EU electricity in 2022, for the first time overtaking fossil gas (20 percent), according to the European Electricity Review published on 27th January by energy think tank Ember.
Wind and solar overtake fossil gas to produce record fifth of EU electricity
Courtesy of NREL.

Coal power share increased by just 1.5 percentage points to generate 16 percent of EU electricity in 2022, with year-on-year falls in the last four months of 2022 as Europe prevented a threatened return to coal power in the wake of the 2022 energy crisis.

“Europe has avoided the worst of the energy crisis” said Ember’s head of data insights, Dave Jones. “The shocks of 2022 only caused a minor ripple in coal power and a huge wave of support for renewables. Any fears of a coal rebound are now dead.”

The analysis by Ember reveals that Europe faced a triple crisis in the electricity sector in 2022. Just as Europe scrambled to cut ties with its biggest supplier of fossil gas, it faced the lowest levels of hydro and nuclear in at least two decades, which created a deficit equal to 7 percent of Europe’s total electricity demand in 2022.

Record growth in wind and solar helped cushion the hydro and nuclear deficit. Solar generation rose the fastest, growing by a record 39 TWh (+24 percent) in 2022 - almost twice its previous record - which helped to avoid 10 billion euros in gas costs. Twenty EU countries set new solar records in 2022.

Lower electricity demand also helped reduce the deficit. EU electricity demand dropped by 7.9 percent in the last quarter of 2022 compared to the same period the previous year (-56 TWh), close in scale to the 9.6 percent fall (-61 TWh) witnessed in Q2 2020 when lockdowns were first imposed across much of Europe. Mild weather was a deciding factor, but affordability pressures likely played a role, alongside energy efficiency improvements and citizens acting in solidarity to cut energy demand in a time of crisis.

Just one sixth of the nuclear and hydro deficit was met by coal. Coal generation rose by 7 percent (+28 TWh). As a result, EU power sector emissions rose by 3.9 percent (+26 MtCO2) in 2022 compared to 2021. It could have been much worse: wind, solar and a fall in electricity demand prevented a much larger return to coal. In context, coal’s rise was not substantial: coal power remained below 2018 levels and added only 0.3 percent to global coal generation.

Coal power in the EU fell in all four of the final months of 2022, down 6 percent year-on-year. The 26 coal units placed on emergency standby for winter ran at an average of just 18 percent capacity. Despite importing 22 million tonnes of extra coal throughout 2022, the EU only used a third of it. Countries are as committed to phasing out coal as they were before the crisis.

Perhaps most surprisingly, gas generation was almost unchanged (+0.8 percent) in 2022 compared to 2021, despite record-high prices. Fossil gas generated 20 percent of EU electricity in 2022, up from 19 percent the previous year. However, this trend is expected to change drastically in the coming year.

The latest indications from industry suggest that in 2023, Europe’s transition to wind and solar will accelerate in response to the energy crisis and hydro and French nuclear will recover. As a result, Ember estimates that fossil generation could plummet by 20 percent in 2023, double the previous record from 2020. Coal generation will fall, but gas generation, which is expected to remain more expensive than coal until at least 2025, will fall the fastest.

“Europe's clean power transition emerges from this crisis stronger than ever” added Mr Jones. “Not only are European countries still committed to phasing out coal, they are now striving to phase out gas as well. The energy crisis has undoubtedly sped up Europe’s electricity transition. Europe is hurtling towards a clean, electrified economy, and this will be on full display in 2023. Change is coming fast, and everyone needs to be ready for it.”

For additional information:

Ember

Add a comment
Mark
According to the European Wind Energy Association (EWEA), wind and solar energy have overtaken fossil gas to become the leading sources of electricity in the European Union. In 2020, wind and solar accounted for a record fifth of the EU’s electricity production, while gas only accounted for 19%. This is a significant milestone in the EU’s goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2050.
The EWEA also reported that the share of renewable energy (including wind and solar) in the European Union’s electricity production has more than doubled since 2010. Wind energy alone increased from 8.5% to 17.1%. This is an impressive achievement, considering the EU’s commitment to the Paris Agreement and its goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by at least 40% by 2030.
The increased use of renewable energy sources is also having a positive impact on the European economy. By creating jobs in the renewable energy sector, the EU can diversify its energy mix and become more resilient to price swings in the energy market. Additionally, the increased use of renewable energy sources can help reduce energy costs for consumers, as well as improve air quality for citizens.
My latest article: https://goodmenproject.com/education-2/5-services-that-can-help-with-assignments/
Mark
According to the European Wind Energy Association (EWEA), wind and solar energy have overtaken fossil gas to become the leading sources of electricity in the European Union. In 2020, wind and solar accounted for a record fifth of the EU’s electricity production, while gas only accounted for 19%. This is a significant milestone in the EU’s goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2050.

The EWEA also reported that the share of renewable energy (including wind and solar) in the European Union’s electricity production has more than doubled since 2010. Wind energy alone increased from 8.5% to 17.1%. This is an impressive achievement, considering the EU’s commitment to the Paris Agreement and its goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by at least 40% by 2030.

The increased use of renewable energy sources is also having a positive impact on the European economy. By creating jobs in the renewable energy sector, the EU can diversify its energy mix and become more resilient to price swings in the energy market. Additionally, the increased use of renewable energy sources can help reduce energy costs for consumers, as well as improve air quality for citizens.

My latest article is here
qwe
qwe
alisha
Flappy Bird is an arcade game in which you control an adorable bird that has to fly through a lot of obstacles made up of pipes, but it\'s not simple at all. Play to test your dexterity.
Jane
Top-notch paper at reasonable cost and delivered on time sounds something unreal? Check out the https://www.writingpapersucks.com/studybay-com-review/ page to get more information about the platform that can make your dreams come true.

janegrant0023
Writingpapersucks.com is an extensive database of comprehensive reviews about the most diverse writing services available on the web. The author deals not only with the experienced companies, but also new ones.
shawnkemp
Your blog is really cool and great. I really appreciate your blog. I am glad to read your blog.The Today Show Brendon Urie Blazer Thanks for sharing the nice and cool post. Keep it up. I am waiting for your next blog.

Jay Doris
EVER BEEN A VICTIM OF CRYPTO SCAM???

HELLO EVERYONE, This is for everyone seeking recovery of stolen crypto coins, recovery of any lost funds to online scams , recovery of cryptocurrency lost to reapers in forex trades and binary options This is for persons seeking to recover all of their lost funds to online scams, contact address--> Morris Gray 830 @ gmail . com for successful recovery and thank me later. I had my blockchain wallet spoofed by merciless scams, due to the ignorance of 2FA authorization, they were able to get away with 5.0147BTC from my wallet , this made me go through Truma and depression as i was desperately in need of help , i made my research online and came across a very credible and reliable recovery agent on the internet with this information Morris Gray 830 @ gmail . com, The hack agent helped me recover all I lost and also revealed the identity of the perpetrators , that\'s why I\'m most appreciative and also sharing their contacts info for anyone in a similar situation seeking to recover funds lost to online scams , contact the recovery specialist at: Morris Gray 830 @ gmail . com or Business Whats app: +1 607 698 0239. Bless you sir Morris Gray....
Jay Doris
EVER BEEN A VICTIM OF CRYPTO SCAM???

HELLO EVERYONE, This is for everyone seeking recovery of stolen crypto coins, recovery of any lost funds to online scams , recovery of cryptocurrency lost to reapers in forex trades and binary options This is for persons seeking to recover all of their lost funds to online scams, contact address--> Morris Gray 830 @ gmail . com for successful recovery and thank me later. I had my blockchain wallet spoofed by merciless scams, due to the ignorance of 2FA authorization, they were able to get away with 5.0147BTC from my wallet , this made me go through Truma and depression as i was desperately in need of help , i made my research online and came across a very credible and reliable recovery agent on the internet with this information Morris Gray 830 @ gmail . com, The hack agent helped me recover all I lost and also revealed the identity of the perpetrators , that\'s why I\'m most appreciative and also sharing their contacts info for anyone in a similar situation seeking to recover funds lost to online scams , contact the recovery specialist at: Morris Gray 830 @ gmail . com or Business Whats app: +1 607 698 0239. Bless you sir Morris Gray....
threetaxpayer
Its modelling shows that this is possible without compromizing the security of supply slope unblocked.
Subscribe!
12
Baterías con premio en la gran feria europea del almacenamiento de energía
El jurado de la feria ees (la gran feria europea de las baterías y los sistemas acumuladores de energía) ya ha seleccionado los productos y soluciones innovadoras que aspiran, como finalistas, al gran premio ees 2021. Independientemente de cuál o cuáles sean las candidaturas ganadoras, la sola inclusión en este exquisito grupo VIP constituye todo un éxito para las empresas. A continuación, los diez finalistas 2021 de los ees Award (ees es una de las cuatro ferias que integran el gran evento anual europeo del sector de la energía, The smarter E).