Brussels (Brussels Morning) Solar power generation accounted for 10% of EU output in June and July, global energy transition think tank Ember pointed out on Wednesday.
EU member states generated close to 39 Terrawatt-hours (TWh) of solar power in the observed period, which is 10.9 TWh more compared to the corresponding period in 2018, according to Reuters reporting.
Embers analyst Charles Moore noted “there are exciting green shoots in core solar markets where solar is taking off, but overall it is not growing fast enough.”
The European Commission is planning to overhaul climate policies and has set a temporary target for production of electricity from renewable sources, which include solar, wind and biomass, to 40% of total consumption by 2030. Power produced from renewable sources accounted for approximately 20% of consumption in 2019.
Germany largest producer
Germany boasted the highest share of solar power in June and July, producing 13.4 TWh which accounted for 17% of total power generation in the country.
Roughly 16% of Spain’s power came from solar in the observed period, with production reaching 6.4 TWh in contrast with 3.1 TWh in the corresponding period of 2018.
Italy produced 6 TWh from solar in June and July, up from 5.7 TWh four years ago.
The Netherlands boasted high four-year growth as generation increased from 1.1 TWh in 2018 to 3.2 TWh this summer.
According to Ember, eight EU member states posted record solar power generation in June and July this year, as production and installation of solar panels continues to grow.
While solar generation is on the rise, production of electricity from such sources still lags behind coal, which accounted for roughly 14% of power generation in the EU in June and July.Ember reminded that solar power generation in the EU increased about 14 TWh annually in 2019 and 2020, predicting that growth will remain steady this year. However, the think tank stressed that growth of solar generation needs to reach 30 TWh per year if the bloc is to meet EC‘s 2030 targets.