Solar energy seems to have many advantages: it is cheap, clean and has been the fastest-growing energy source in the last decade. It can be used for electricity, heating, and help to reduce the EU’s dependency on energy imports. However, several challenges remain. Let’s see how the European Union will face these challenges and how the use of solar energy could help the Union in its green transition towards climate neutrality.

Solar energy in the EU - English

The EU solar energy strategy proposed under the REPowerEU plan aims to make solar energy a cornerstone of the EU energy system. Boosting renewable energy is also an important part of the European Green Deal in the context of the green transition towards climate neutrality. Solar energy is affordable, clean and has been the fastest-growing energy source in the last decade. It can be used for electricity and heating, while also helping reduce EU dependency on energy imports by replacing them with domestic production. EU measures to boost solar energy include making the installation of solar panels on the rooftops of new buildings obligatory within a specific timeframe, streamlining permitting procedures for renewable energy projects, improving the skills base in the solar sector and boosting the EU's capacity to manufacture photovoltaic panels.

EPRS policy podcast - Solar energy in the EU

Clean energy is energy produced and consumed with a minimum of greenhouse gas emissions and other pollutants.

The transition to clean energy requires large investments in all areas of energy use: electricity generation, transport, heating and cooling, and also industrial activities. Reducing energy demand by means of energy efficiency measures also helps to lower the emissions associated with energy use.

Clean energy

The energy union strategy aims at building an energy union that gives EU consumers - households and businesses - secure, sustainable, competitive and affordable energy.&nbsp;The five pillars of the Energy Union are:&nbsp;accelerating decarbonisation with the EU Emission Trading System (ETS) and renewables at is core; scaling up energy efficiency; enhancing energy security and safety; strengthening the internal market; research, innovation and competitiveness.&nbsp; Since 2021, Europe has experienced a hike in energy prices that is part of a global surge. The&nbsp;Russian invasion of Ukraine&nbsp;in 2022 has further affected the energy markets, causing new increases of energy prices and concerns over the EU’s ability to secure its energy supply. &nbsp;

Energy union

Against the backdrop of the war in Ukraine, the disruption of Russian gas supplies has led to skyrocketing electricity prices and market volatility, leading the Commission and member states to consider new policy options such as capping prices or decoupling of gas and electricity prices. In recent months, Parliament and Council have adopted an&nbsp;emergency plan for filling gas reserves.

The Commission has also launched the&nbsp;RepowerEU&nbsp;plan to reduce the&nbsp;dependency from Russia, diversify gas supplies, speed up the roll-out of renewable gases and replace gas in heating and power generation as well as&nbsp;EU-wide gas consumption reduction measures.

This can&nbsp;reduce EU demand for Russian gas by two thirds before the end of the year. The EC came with proposals how to deal with the problem during the SOTEU speech of Ursula von der Leyen.

European Union countries agreed on 30th September on series of meeasures, including energy levies on windfall profits of energy companies or binding targets to reduce electricity consumption.

Energy prices

A European Energy Union will ensure that Europe has secure, affordable and climate-friendly energy.

Wiser energy use while fighting climate change is both a spur for new jobs and growth and an investment in Europe's future.

The state of the Energy Union shows progress made since the Energy Union Framework Strategy was adopted to bring about the transition to a low-carbon, secure and competitive economy. 
The “Clean Energy for all Europeans” package consists of several legislative proposals and three communications on the energy market, energy efficiency, renewables, eco-design and governance of the Energy Union.

Energy union -  8th parliamentary term

Press conference on the gas and hydrogen markets directive

EP plenary session - Joint debate - Clean Energy package

This news item shows extracts from the signature of six COD LEX texts by Roberta METSOLA, EP President and José Manuel ALBARES BUENO, Minister for Foreign Affairs, on behalf of the Spanish Presidency of the Council. The six COD LEX texts are about consumer credits, ensuring a level playing field for sustainable air transport , on the promotion of energy from renewable sources, on geographical indication protection for craft and industrial products, on establishing the European defence industry Reinforcement through common Procurement Act and on the labelling of organic pet food.

LEX signing ceremony: signature of six COD LEX texts by Roberta METSOLA, EP President and José Manuel ALBARES BUENO, Minister for Foreign Affairs, on behalf of the Spanish Presidency of the Council

The Parliament debate on a new legislation to increase the use of renewable energy in line with the EU’s Green Deal and REPowerEU initiatives. The directive, already informally agreed with the Council, is intended to raise the share of renewables in the EU’s final energy consumption to 42.5% by 2030. Member states are urged to aim for 45%. The new law will also speed up the approval process for new renewable energy power plants, such as solar and wind farms, as well as the adaptation of existing ones. Opening statement by Markus PIEPER (EPP, DE), Rapporteur, by Nils TORVALDS (Renew Europe, FI), Rapporteurs, Kadri SIMSON, European Commissioner for Energy, Barbara THALER (EPP, AT) and Carmen AVRAM (S&D, RO), Rapporteurs for ENVI, TRAN and AGRI Committees. This transcription is a result of an automatic process. Please check against delivery.

Renewable energy directive: Opening statement by Markus PIEPER (EPP, DE), Rapporteur, by Nils TORVALDS (Renew Europe, FI), Rapporteur, Kadri SIMSON, European Commissioner for Energy, Barbara THALER (EPP, AT) and Carmen AVRAM, Rapporteur

Parliament adopt new legislation to increase the use of renewable energy in line with the EU’s Green Deal and REPowerEU initiatives. The directive, already informally agreed with the Council, is intended to raise the share of renewables in the EU’s final energy consumption to 42.5% by 2030. Member States are urged to aim for 45%. The new law will also speed up the approval process for new renewable energy power plants, such as solar and wind farms, as well as the adaptation of existing ones. Extracts from the debate (11/09); extracts from the vote (14/09); and statement by Markus PIEPER (EPP, DE), Rapporteur

Renewable energy directive: extracts from the debate (11/09); extracts from the vote (14/09); and statement by Markus PIEPER (EPP, DE), Rapporteur

The Parliament debate on a new legislation to increase the use of renewable energy in line with the EU’s Green Deal and REPowerEU initiatives. The directive, already informally agreed with the Council, is intended to raise the share of renewables in the EU’s final energy consumption to 42.5% by 2030. Member states are urged to aim for 45%. The new law will also speed up the approval process for new renewable energy power plants, such as solar and wind farms, as well as the adaptation of existing ones. Closing statement by Kadri SIMSON, European Commissioner for Energy and Markus PIEPER (EPP, DE), Rapporteur.

Renewable energy directive: closing statement by Kadri SIMSON, European Commissioner for Energy and Markus PIEPER (EPP, DE), Rapporteur

The Parliament debate on a new legislation to increase the use of renewable energy in line with the EU’s Green Deal and REPowerEU initiatives. The directive, already informally agreed with the Council, is intended to raise the share of renewables in the EU’s final energy consumption to 42.5% by 2030. Member states are urged to aim for 45%. The new law will also speed up the approval process for new renewable energy power plants, such as solar and wind farms, as well as the adaptation of existing ones.

Renewable energy directive: MEPs debate

Markus PIEPER (EPP, DE), Rapporteur on the revision of the renewable energy directive holds a press conference in the European Parliament, in Brussels. The transcription is the result of an automatic process. Please, check against delivery.

Press conference by Markus PIEPER (EPP, DE), Rapporteur on the revision of the renewable energy directive

This infoclip shows the deployment of alternative fuels infrastructure with electric cars, electric and hybrid public transport, hydrogen train and hydrogen refuel stations for trucks . On 14 July 2021, the European Commission presented a package of proposals to equip the EU's climate, energy, land use, transport and taxation policies to reduce net greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55 % by 2030, compared with 1990 levels – the 'fit for 55' package. The package includes a proposal to revise the 2014 directive on alternative fuels infrastructure and turn it into a regulation.

Infoclip: Deployment of alternative fuels infrastructure

On 19 November 2020, the European Commission published an EU Strategy to harness the potential of offshore renewable energy for a climate neutral future. The Offshore Renewable Strategy was widely anticipated as part of the European Green Deal. The Offshore Renewable Strategy aims to dramatically increase the EU's production of electricity from offshore renewable energy sources from the current 12 gigawatts (GW) to 60GW by 2030 and 300GW by 2050. MEPs say that a net-zero emissions economy requires renewable energy to be deployed on an unprecedented scale. MEPs highlight that the cost of offshore wind has fallen dramatically in the last two decades (declining by 48% between 2010 and 2020), making it one of the most competitively priced sources of energy. This illustrative footage shows regular and aerial drone views of traditional wind energy as well as aerial drone views of an offshore wind energy.

renewable energy (T)

Videos

LEX signing ceremony: signature of six COD LEX texts by Roberta METSOLA, EP President and José Manuel ALBARES BUENO, Minister for Foreign Affairs, on behalf of the Spanish Presidency of the Council

Renewable energy directive: Opening statement by Markus PIEPER (EPP, DE), Rapporteur, by Nils TORVALDS (Renew Europe, FI), Rapporteur, Kadri SIMSON, European Commissioner for Energy, Barbara THALER (EPP, AT) and Carmen AVRAM, Rapporteur

Renewable energy directive: extracts from the debate (11/09); extracts from the vote (14/09); and statement by Markus PIEPER (EPP, DE), Rapporteur

Renewable energy directive: closing statement by Kadri SIMSON, European Commissioner for Energy and Markus PIEPER (EPP, DE), Rapporteur

Renewable energy directive: MEPs debate

Press conference by Markus PIEPER (EPP, DE), Rapporteur on the revision of the renewable energy directive

Infoclip: Deployment of alternative fuels infrastructure

Infoclip: Renewable energy – wind turbines

Photos

Press conference on the gas and hydrogen markets directive

Press conference on the gas and hydrogen markets directive

Press conference on the gas and hydrogen markets directive

Press conference on the gas and hydrogen markets directive

Press conference on the gas and hydrogen markets directive

Press conference on the gas and hydrogen markets directive

Press conference on the gas and hydrogen markets directive

Press conference on the gas and hydrogen markets directive

Photosets

Press conference on the gas and hydrogen markets directive

EP plenary session - Joint debate - Clean Energy package

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Energy union - 8th parliamentary term

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