Europe doubles the share of renewable energy in a decade

April 28, 2011 - PRLog -- The share of renewable energy in the EU has almost doubled over the past decade, from 5.4% to 9% between 1999 and 2009, while the proportion of energy provided by oil, solid fuel and nuclear all fell over the same period. These were the findings released this month by EU statistic produced by Eurostat at the start of EU Sustainable Energy Week.

All 27 member states increased their share of renewable energy over the period, with the largest increases coming from Denmark, where the renewable sector grew from meeting 8% of energy demand to 17% by 2009.

Similarly, Sweden increased its share of renewable energy rise from 27% to 34%, while Germany's renewables sector quadrupled in size from 2% to 8% of total energy capacity. Besides, new figures for 2010 in Germany reveal that renewable sources accounted for 16.9% of the country’s gross electricity consumption last year, a four-fold increase over the previous 20 years.

Meanwhile, European Wind Energy Association figures released in January suggested that overall renewable capacity rose 31% last year, and green generation technologies, including wind, solar, hydro and biomass, accounted for 41% of all new energy installations.

The Spanish Wind Energy Association, Asociación Empresarial Eólica (AEE), announced late last month that wind not only produced the most electricity in its history over the month, but generated more power in Spain than any other technology, including nuclear, combined cycles and hydro. AEE said that with a total production of 4,738GWh, March's wind power generation could cover the whole monthly consumption of Portugal.

The UK's share of renewable energy rose from 0.9% in 1999 to 3% cent in 2009, still well short of its target of 15% by 2020.

Although renewables were the main source of electricity in only two member states, Latvia and Sweden, renewable energy capacity has been steadily increasing across the continent in response to the EU target requiring the share of renewable energy across this area to reach 20% by 2020.

The statistics are the latest in a series of figures to provide evidence that Europe's renewable energy sector is progressing from one success to another.

# # #

Envido is the UK’s leading provider of energy, low-carbon and sustainability solutions for private and public sector organisations.

We help our clients reduce their carbon emissions - helping them to conserve energy, save money and boost business performance.

With offices in London, Birmingham, Manchester and Ipswich, we work with some of the largest private companies across all industries in the UK, as well as local authorities, NHS Trusts, educational institutions and other government entities.

Envido Ltd.
+44 20 7199 0090
www.envido.co.uk