EU member states to spend €18bn of Covid cash on renewables
The 22 nations which have had their “recovery and resilience” spending plans approved by the European Commission are set to devote billions to clean energy facilities, with the cash set to be disbursed in three payments to the end of next year.
European Commission moves on battery skills and forced labor
The EU’s executive body will supply €10 million to the European Battery Academy program launched in Brussels yesterday which aims to train the 800,000 battery workforce it has been estimated will be required in three years’ time.
EU member states have three weeks to sign up for Europe-wide renewables tender
The European Commission’s proposed renewable energy financing mechanism would enable wealthier EU nations to fund clean energy projects in poorer neighbors rich in solar potential.
EU Chips Act proposed to address semiconductor shortages
The European Commission wants to introduce legislation to back semiconductor research and to address the immediate problem of supply chain bottlenecks by drumming up more than €43 billion, with member states and the private sector expected to contribute.
SolarPower Europe calls on Italy to abandon measure introduced to halt rocketing energy price
Mario Draghi’s administration has replaced market-driven electricity prices for the rest of the year and replaced them with tariffs based on historical averages. With solar plant operators among those affected, the European trade body for PV is not amused.
EU Commission holds firm on taxonomy – nuclear power, gas to be seen as sustainable
Brussels is ignoring the requests of some EU member states, including Germany, as well as the assessments of experts. The German government has spoken out clearly against including nuclear power and gas-fired power plants in the EU taxonomy.
Frans Timmermans: ‘In some places in Africa gas will be part of the energy mix and that is also part of the transition’
A speech delivered by the European Commission’s executive VP for the European Green Deal reiterated the EU executive’s belief natural gas will play a part in the energy transition, 24 hours before a member of an advisory panel hit out at plans to deem gas and nuclear sustainable energy sources.
European Commission advisory body slams plan to label gas and nuclear ‘sustainable’
The Platform on Sustainable Finance was unstinting in its criticism of a suggestion made by the EU executive on New Year’s Day, that the divisive energy sources be considered eligible for support in the bloc.
EU: ‘How can renewables permits be simplified?’
Brussels has asked interested parties how the permitting process for renewable energy sites can be simplified across the EU and how private PPAs can be made more attractive. Respondents can submit their thoughts until April 12.
Belgium has four years to replace nuclear fleet which generated 39% of its electricity in 2020
Figures released by Eurostat this week indicated the monumental task facing the renewables industry as Europe attempts to replace a power source which generated a quarter of the bloc’s electricity in 2020.
