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Renewables 2020
…wind and hydropower are taking global renewable capacity additions to a new record this year, accounting for almost 90% of the increase in total power capacity worldwide. Solar PV growth is expected to remain stable as a faster expansion of utility-scale projects compensates for the decline in rooftop additions resulting from individuals and companies reprioritising investments. Wind and solar PV additions are set to jump by 30% in both the People’s Republic of China (“China”) and the United States as developers rush to complete projects before changes in policy take effect.The renewables industry has adapted quickly to…
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IEA Support to Accelerating Renewable Energy Permitting (ARPE)
…as well as all other stakeholders engaged in renewable energy project development.The project was funded by the European Union (EU) via the Technical Support Instrument, which is managed by the Reform and Investment Task Force (SG REFORM) of the European Commission. The project is implemented by the International Energy Agency (IEA), in cooperation with the European Commission. Background In May 2022, the European Commission released the REPowerEU aimed at rapidly accelerating the clean energy transition in the European Union. The plan includes increasing the 2030 target for renewable energy in the overall energy mix to 42.5% (with the ambition…
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Finland 2023
…and strongly expanding wind generation. Thanks to the progress Finland has made on its clean energy transition, the country has the second lowest share of fossil fuels in its energy supply among IEA members. It is also reducing its reliance on Russian energy imports and ensuring energy security by increasing imports from other countries, raising domestic renewable energy production and improving energy efficiency. Despite these notable successes in clean energy and energy security, significant challenges remain. Imported fossil fuels still account for over a third of the energy supply while some areas of the Finnish economy, such as transport and…
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Energy Policies of IEA Countries: Finland 2018 Review
…sustainability and the country’s carbon sink, and it offers perspectives for Finland’s potential for innovation in heavy duty, aviation and maritime transport. The country has aligned its climate and energy policies within a robust policy framework and set ambitious climate targets for 2030, such as cutting oil consumption in half and achieving 30% of renewables in transport by 2030. As the power sector is largely decarbonised, transport is a key sector for the country’s ambitious national climate targets. Finland has been a leader among IEA countries in public and private spending on energy research, development and demonstration…
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Spain 2021
…on the 2050 objectives of national climate neutrality, 100% renewable energy in the electricity mix and 97% renewable energy in the total energy mix. As such, it is centred on the massive development of renewable energy, particularly solar and wind; energy efficiency; electrification; and renewable hydrogen. This is seen as an opportunity to stimulate the economy; create jobs; modernise industry; enhance competitiveness; support vulnerable groups; improve energy security; and support research, development and innovation.Notwithstanding its considerable progress to date on decarbonising and increasing the share of renewables in the electricity sector, Spain’s total energy mix is still heavily…
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Energy Policies of IEA Countries: Finland 2013 Review
…fuels, and energy policy is at the heart of the government’s concerns.The government’s energy strategy aims to strengthen Finland’s energy security, to move progressively towards a decarbonised economy, and to deepen its integration in the wider European market. Finland has a very ambitious renewable energy programme, with a view to meeting 38% of its final energy consumption from renewable sources by 2020. Finland is the most forested country in Europe; biomass will thus play a central role in meeting the target. Finland is one of few IEA countries with plans to expand its nuclear capacity, and…
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Energy Policies of IEA Countries: Spain 2015 Review
…on energy imports has decreased markedly, in part thanks to a rapid increase in renewable energy supply. Spain’s security of supply has further been improved with diversified import sources and enhanced storage capacity for both oil and gas.In the electricity sector, Spain has built a large, diverse and reliable power generation fleet. After several years of efforts, the government has now also managed to solve the massive imbalance between the electricity system’s regulated costs and revenues. The broad and deep electricity market reform has fundamentally changed the remuneration scheme for renewable energy. Spain must now maintain its…
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Energy Policies of IEA Countries: Finland 2003
…for backup power, and efforts to diversify natural gas supply options would reinforce this policy.
While Finland’s light-handed approach to regulation has worked well, the report recommends areas of more proactive regulation, especially in the fields of electricity networks and district heating systems.
Finland has agreed to keep GHG emissions at 1990 levels during the first Kyoto commitment period, yet projections show a 15% increase in emissions under business-as-usual conditions. Actively integrating international measures such as emissions trading into domestic programmes and more market-based approaches to renewable energy will ease the path towards Kyoto compliance. -
Energy Policies of IEA Countries: Finland 2007
…should continue to explore ways to diversify import sources and routes. The new nuclear power plant currently being built – the first in a liberalised market – will help safeguard energy security, though the construction delays necessitate continued monitoring. Subsidies for peat, a fuel in abundance in Finland, should be reconsidered, as they do not enhance energy security. On the other hand, the government should continue to explore ways to expand new renewables, building on the current stock of biomass and hydro. This review takes an in-depth look at Finland’s energy policy today, highlighting energy efficiency and energy R&D.
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Energy Policies of IEA Countries: Spain 2009
…technology, and succeeded in integrating large amounts of intermittent power in the electricity grid. Along with other IEA member countries, Spain has set ambitious climate and energy security targets. Achieving these will require a transition to a low-carbon economy. Spain will need to increase its efforts to reduce CO2 emissions, particularly in the transport but also in the critical power sector. As fossil fuels still provide more than half of electricity, Spain will need to keep open all the options – including nuclear, renewables, and the technology of carbon capture and storage – for making its power sector less carbon-intensive.