Weighted average solar ambitions rose 87% after 26 of 27 EU Member States presented their National Energy and Climate Plans.
Lithuania and Ireland reach 5 and 10 goals. Poland tripled its target, Finland, Portugal, Slovenia, and Sweden quadrupled, and Spain doubled 95%.
Despite ambition, NECPs fail to revolutionize energy via grid deployment, modernization, and flexibility. Few EU states have demand-side response objectives, distribution system investment plans, or energy storage ambitions.
Europe is spending 87% more on solar. Energy transition risk with grid and flexibility planning behind renewable goals.
Europe risks putting wagon before horse. Generation goals must guide energy system design. Without energy system planning, solar installations would be delayed, energy squandered, and the financial case undermined.
EU member states submitted summer 2023 updated National Energy and Climate Plans. 26/27) submitted, Austria on hold indefinitely. These ideas propose revising 2019 EC-approved NECPs.
Weighted average, amended NECPs boost solar ambition 87% over 2019. Lithuania and Ireland reach 5 and 10 goals. Poland tripled its target, Finland, Portugal, Slovenia, and Sweden quadrupled, and Spain doubled 95%.
NECPs are ambitious yet need grid rollout, adaptability, and digitalization. Four NECPs set smart-meter rollout or response demand-side flexibility goals, although most mention flexibility.
Demand-side gaps may impede household energy adoption. While energy is available, Europeans should charge e-vehicles all day. Demand-side techniques, ignored in NECPs, may reduce grid demand and boost renewables. Demand-side flexibility saves slow-builders grid infrastructure costs.
Nine nations have MWh, euro, or MW energy storage objectives. BE, EL, LT, and PT have battery, small-scale, and home storage aims. Many EU nations are unprepared for 24/7 renewable energy.
Only France and Malta have distribution electrical grid goals or investment plans, even though a lack of storage or demand-side response will strain the energy infrastructure. Twenty nations recognized the need for high-voltage transmission, but only France and Malta launched distribution grid projects. By 2032, France will spend 20% more on distribution and Malta will modernize infrastructure.
EU goal is 626 GW by 2030, compared to 750 GW in EU Solar Strategy and 902 GW in industrial potential. Once submitted to the European Commission, member states have until June 30 to update their draft NECPs.
Reference
New analysis: EU countries increase 2030 solar goals by 90% but grid planning trails – SolarPower Europe. (n.d.). https://www.solarpowereurope.org/press-releases/new-analysis-eu-countries-increase-2030-solar-goals-by-90-but-grid-planning-trails