Study maps potential of ‘energy citizens’
According to new research, half of EU citizens could be producing their own renewable electricity by 2050, meeting 45% of the EU’s energy demand.
The study, performed by Dutch consultancy firm CE Delft, has evaluated the potential of decentralised power generation across the continent.
It found that 264 million people in Europe could produce their own renewable electricity by 2050.
Sweden is expected to lead the way with an estimated 79% of the population able to produce their own energy in 2050.
Germany and other EU countries including the Netherlands were praised in the study for championing small-scale energy production by households who can sell their surplus electricity back to the grid at a guaranteed price.
The study was commissioned by environmental Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) Greenpeace and Friends of the Earth Europe, in association with the European Renewable Energies Federation (EREF) and the European Federation for Renewable Energy Co-operatives (REScoop.eu).
Together, they are calling for the European Commission to enshrine so-called ‘energy citizens’ at the centre of the EU’s flagship Energy Union initiative.
Sebastian Mang, climate change and energy officer at Greenpeace EU said: “Across Germany, you would see solar panels on the roofs and hundreds of energy co-operatives flourishing.
“But in Spain, there is a ‘sun tax’ which makes it very expensive to install solar panels on your roofs or have energy storage at home. And there is only a handful of co-operatives.”
Backers of the ‘energy citizens’ concept also highlighted that the notion is actually wider than just individual households placing solar panels on their rooftops. It also covers municipalities, schools, hospitals or government buildings, as well as small businesses with fewer than 50 employees.
