Five on Friday: New EU record in solar energy is just the beginning
Every Friday, the editorial staff of Energi og Klima presents five news items from the past week. This week I have chosen from these:
European solar energy on the record track
It was installed around 25.9 GW new solar energy (solar cells) in EU member states in 2021, reports PV-Tech, with a market report from the interest group SolarPower Europe as a source. Thus, the ten-year-old record of 21.4 GW is finally broken. Germany was again the largest market with 5.3 GW, followed by Spain, the Netherlands, Poland and France. Denmark excels at 1.2 GW, achieved almost exclusively through large-scale unsubsidized projects that supply electricity to corporate customers.
The record comes despite increased prices for solar panels and delivery problems. The annual record will in all probability be broken already in 2022, as over 30 GW of new capacity is expected. Nearly 50 GW will be reached by 2025, according to the report. SolarPower Europe estimates that the EU’s total capacity in solar energy will increase from the current 165 GW to 672 GW in 2030. Several countries will already in 2021-22 achieve the targets for solar energy as they have set in the national energy and climate plans they have delivered to the EU. the Commission.
China is larger than the EU also in solar energy, but is unlikely to reach the target it had set for 55-65 GW of new capacity in 2021. The reason is increased prices for raw materials, writes Reuters. China looks set to end at 45-55 GW in 2021, but according to a forecast, speeds could increase again in 2022 to 75 GW.
Israel stops gas exploration, focuses on renewables
Israel will suspend exploration for new offshore gas fields in 2022, says the country’s energy minister Karin Elharrar, according to Jerusalem Post. New exploration licenses will not be announced. “In the coming year, we will focus on the future, on green energy, energy optimization and renewable energy, and set aside the development of natural gas, which we know is a short-term solution,” says Elharrar. The gas industry’s interest organization is protesting, and points out, among other things, that Norway and the USA will increase their exploration efforts for gas.
An example of Israel’s renewable investment is a collaboration with Jordan, where the neighboring country is building a 600 MW solar energy park for the export of power to Israel. Israel is exploring the possibility of exporting 200 million cubic meters of water in return from a desalination plant.
– Public kitchens should serve climate-friendly food
Kitchens in the state, regions and municipalities in Denmark serve 650,000 meals every day. As a step towards a more climate-friendly diet, public kitchens should take the lead and serve climate-friendly ones, the Independent Climate Council recommends in a new report. Such a change will have a climate effect in itself, but as important as it is, more people will be introduced to climate-friendly food. The canteens should follow the public ones dietary advice, according to the Climate Council, and not, for example, be required to have vegetarian days.
According to the Climate Council, Denmark has one of the largest climate footprints from food consumption per capita in the world, and is above the average in Europe for meat consumption. If all Danes follow the dietary guidelines, it will cut 2.5-4 million tonnes of CO2 in the year.
The Netherlands wants to cut more emissions – and build nuclear power
The Netherlands’ new coalition government will tighten the country’s climate targets from 49 percent emission cuts to “at least 55 percent” (compared to 1990), writes Politics. A new Minister of Climate and Energy will be responsible for a climate and conversion fund of 35 billion euros. The fund will invest in power, heat, hydrogen and conversion in industry, construction and transport. In the coalition agreement, the four governing parties, led by Prime Minister Mark Rutte, are also the only ones to extend the life of the country’s one nuclear power plant in Borssele and start the work with building new nuclear power plants.
German analysis: Electric cars already competitive with petrol and diesel models
An analysis of all car models in the German market shows promising results for electric cars. Looking at the purchase price, all-electric cars are now an attractive alternative to cars with internal combustion engines, according to the think tank Agora Verkehrswende. If one compares total costs over five years, large and medium-sized electric cars are more affordable and similar to petrol and diesel cars, even without counting on the German support scheme. Smaller electric car models are yet no more expensive than came with internal combustion engine. The think tank recommends that support schemes be targeted more at small and medium-sized cars. In addition, customers should be better informed about the total cost of car maintenance.