As solar and wind energy were responsible for generating 24% of EU electricity (European Union) since the beginning of invasion of Russian troops into Ukraine, still in the first quarter of this year, according to report published by climate think tanks E3G e Ember.
In total, between the months of March and September, the wind energy (192 TWh) and solar (153 TWh) generated 345 TWh of electricity across the EU – a record increase of 13% (39 TWh more) compared to the same period last year.
O and growing from both sources still avoided additional costs of the order of €11 billion and the use of 8 billion cubic meters of LNG (gace natural liquefied) on the block.
The renewable energy push comes at a time when Europe tries to get rid of Russian gas, while Moscow reduces, and even cuts, energy supplies to European nations to gain an advantage in the conflict.
The war, therefore, forced the countries of the European bloc to face dependence on Russian gas, which, in 2020 alone, represented more than 40% of the EU's fossil fuel imports.
According to E3G and Ember, without wind and solar energy, the energy crisis caused by the lack of Russian gas supply would have had much worse consequences for the bloc. “Wind and solar energy are already helping European citizens,” said Chris Rosslowe, senior analyst at Ember.
Recordes
According to the published report, 19 of the 27 EU member states achieved records for solar and wind generation this year, which helped to avoid greater inflation and an even deeper crisis in the bloc.
Poland, for example, had a percentage increase of 48,5% in its generation compared to the previous period, while Spain recorded absolute growth of 7,4 TWh, avoiding €1,7 billion in imported gas costs.
Portugal also registered a record in this period, with 37,5% of wind and solar electricity (8,5 TWh), as did France and Italy, which were also mentioned in the report.
