RE Could Cover Over 1/3 of Energy Demand in Central and SE Europe: IRENA

Within 10 years, the economies of Central and South Eastern Europe could cover 34 per cent of their rising energy demand cost-effectively with renewables, finds the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) in its new report.

The Central and South Eastern Europe Energy Connectivity (CESEC) initiative spans 9 EU Member States (Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia) and 8 contracting parties of the energy community (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, the Republic of Moldova, Serbia and Ukraine).

The Renewable Energy Roadmap for CESEC initiative, released during the meeting of CESEC Ministers hosted by the European Commission and the Croatian Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development, shows that accelerating the take-up of renewables in the region could save CESEC citizens an estimated EUR 3 billion per year in energy costs in 2030.

Furthermore, the economic value of avoided health, environment and climate damage could push total benefits to society up to EUR 35 billion per year in 2030, the Abu Dhabi-headquartered IRENA finds.

The report’s energy transition path for the region estimates that additional investments of EUR 78 billion are needed between now and 2030 in order to enable CESEC members to build an energy system that is substantially less reliant on imported fossil fuels, while delivering energy at competitive costs.

Moreover, accelerating the take-up of renewables in the region would cut additional greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 21 per cent beyond planned policies – comparable to today’s total emissions of Romania and Bulgaria combined, the report added.

It further suggested that, by placing energy transition investments, regulations and policies at the heart of the region’s economic development, policy-makers can simultaneously alleviate the socioeconomic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, stimulate green recovery and sustainable job creation, and accelerate the transformation of the energy sector.

Commenting on the report, IRENA’s Director-General Francesco La Camera, said that “Central and South Eastern Europe has a tremendous potential for renewable energy.”

Camera further added “renewables can reduce the region’s energy bill to the benefit of citizens and industry while improving energy security, air quality and aligning the region with long-term decarbonization goals of the Paris Agreement. Renewables also provide countries with a cost-effective way out of fossil fuels and towards a modern, resilient and sustainable energy future.”

Kadri Simson, European Commissioner for Energy added: “The benefits from investing in renewables at this time of recovery are significant – for the economy, for the consumers and for the environment. As highlighted by the IRENA report, focusing on solar, wind and hydro power would create local green jobs and allow the region to gain from closer energy cooperation.”

IRENA estimates that all CESEC members have cost-effective potential to accelerate the deployment of renewables over the next decade beyond current policies. By stepping up capacity, the share of renewables in the energy mix in CESEC members would reach 23 per cent to 56 per cent in 2030.