‘The state of renewable energies in Europe’

Although the 2010 targets are very likely not to be met, current trends allow to be optimistic regarding the future of renewable energy sources in the European Union (EU). EurObserv’ER indicates that for the year 2007 the renewable energy share in total primary energy consumption has gained 0.4 percentage point with respect to 2006 (from 7.1% to 7.5%) and the renewable energy share in total electricity consumption has increased 0.6 percentage point (from 14.3% in 2006 to 14.9% in 2007).

‘The State of Renewable Energies in Europe’ is a synthesis of the technology Barometers published during 2008 (with data up to and including 2007), in which a statistical update has taken place for some technologies. The publication gives detailed capacity and energy performance data for all 27 Member States of the European Union (for wind power, photovoltaics, solar thermal energy and solar thermal electricity, small hydropower, geothermal energy, biogas, municipal solid waste, solid biomass and ocean energy).

The publication discusses as well the target for renewable energy in the EU for the year 2020: 20% of final energy consumption, and presents a breakdown per Member State. New in ‘The State of Renewable Energies in Europe’ is a chapter on socio-economic indicators (employment, turnover) for most technologies in a selection of Member States. The publication concludes with seven country case studies, where specific regions are particularly strong in renewable energy industry: this regards regions in Germany, France, Austria, Poland, Spain, the Netherlands and Slovenia.

You can download the report from this page under "8th Annual Overview Barometer".