Europe celebrates its first European Solar Day
On 21 June, the longest and brightest day of the year, Europe celebrates its first European Solar Day and the role of solar energy in creating a sustainable and resilient future. Within a few years, solar energy has evolved into the most affordable sustainable energy technology, with each solar panel saving 80-90% CO2 compared to average EU electricity. On the occasion of the first...Read More
Council and Parliament reach provisional deal on renewable energy directive
The Council and the Parliament negotiators today reached a provisional political agreement to raise the share of renewable energy in the EU’s overall energy consumption to 42.5% by 2030 with an additional 2.5% indicative top up that would allow to reach 45%. Each member state will contribute to this common target. This provisional political agreement will now need to be endorsed by both...Read More
EC published its proposal for reform of the EU’s electricity market design
On March 14 the European Commission has published its long-awaited proposal for reform of the EU’s electricity market design. The reform aims at accelerating the surge in renewables and the phase-out of gas, making consumer bills less dependent on volatile fossil fuel prices, better protecting consumers from future price spikes and potential market manipulation,...Read More
The European Council formally adopted REPowerEU – 20 billion euros will be allocated for financing
As part of the European Union (EU) strategy for autonomy by diversifying energy supplies and ending its dependency on Russian fossil fuel imports, on February 21st 2023 the Council of the EU has formally adopted a regulation to include REPowerEU chapters in the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF). This finalizes the procedure for the adoption of the amending regulation in the RRF and, in...Read More
Power Purchase Agreements for RES and storage – essential for the EU electricity market
To empower corporate and citizen consumers to benefit more directly from low-cost renewable electricity by facilitating access to renewable power purchase agreements (PPAs) and for accelerated flexibility such as storage to support power system reliability, insists SolarPower Europe (The European Solar Association). The position of the association is in relation to the public consultation...Read MoreEU energy ministers have approved the shortening of permitting procedures for wind and solar plants
On December 19th 2022 the EU Council reached an agreement on targeted amendments to the renewable energy directive, proposed under the REPowerEU plan. Member states will design dedicated ‘go-to areas’ for renewables with shortened and simplified permitting processes in areas with lower environmental risks. The Council confirmed the target of at least 40% of the share of energy from...Read More
Council of the EU agrees on emergency measures to reduce energy prices
EU energy ministers today reached a political agreement on a proposal for a Council Regulation to address high energy prices. The regulation introduces common measures to reduce electricity demand and to collect and redistribute the energy sector’s surplus revenues to final customers. Electricity demand reduction The Council agreed to a voluntary overall reduction target of 10%...Read More
An open letter to European policy makers and the media regarding the REPowerEU Plan
Association for Production, Storage and Trading of Electricity (APSTE) joined the Open Letter to European Commission and Policy Makers regarding the REPowerEU plan, together with 25 companies and organizations –leaders of the European and global energy market. “The current geopolitical situation across the continent, combined with high dependency on imported natural gas, growing...Read More
IEA: Global energy employment rises, driven by clean energy
Global employment in the energy sector has risen above its pre-pandemic levels, led by increased hiring in clean energy, according to a new IEA report that offers the first worldwide benchmark for employment across energy industries. The inaugural edition of the World Energy Employment Report, which will be published annually, maps energy sector employment by technology and value...Read More