Transforming the EU power sector: avoiding a carbon lock-in

With fossil fuels still contributing to roughly half of the electricity generated in Europe, moving away from a carbon-intensive power supply over the next few decades will require a commitment to increase investment in clean technology, restructure the fossil fuel energy infrastructure and ensure a secure and affordable power supply. In this context, this report fills an important information gap by looking at: • the theoretical evolution of fossil fuel capacity by 2030 in the absence of strong drivers to counter present trends; • how this hypothetical evolution would fit in with the need to create a qualitatively different EU power sector by 2030 and beyond, in line with EU climate goals.

Title Transforming the EU power sector: avoiding a carbon lock-in
Description With fossil fuels still contributing to roughly half of the electricity generated in Europe, moving away from a carbon-intensive power supply over the next few decades will require a commitment to increase investment in clean technology, restructure the fossil fuel energy infrastructure and ensure a secure and affordable power supply. In this context, this report fills an important information gap by looking at: • the theoretical evolution of fossil fuel capacity by 2030 in the absence of strong drivers to counter present trends; • how this hypothetical evolution would fit in with the need to create a qualitatively different EU power sector by 2030 and beyond, in line with EU climate goals.
Preview image
Preview image caption
Creators fullname EEA (European Environment Agency) laurac
Contributors fullname
Publication groups
Layout
Blocks { "050e7410-e376-4ff3-9a9c-7c2a7dd2b8d9": { "@layout": "aca54e0a-18ff-4f88-a04f-18f0b0342131", "@marker": "serial_title", "@type": "title", "block": "050e7410-e376-4ff3-9a9c-7c2a7dd2b8d9", "copyrightIcon": "ri-copyright-line", "hideContentType": false, "hideCreationDate": true, "hideModificationDate": true, "info": [], "placeholder": "Type the report title", "styles": {}, "subtitle": "EEA Report 22/2016", "variation": "default" }, "2e634209-c5a6-4040-b2fa-9197c405717b": { "@layout": "6411affa-6f55-4a01-b87b-3654936f88d6", "@type": "dividerBlock", "block": "eb9d294b-4ddb-4245-bdd7-ff20a22f7f8a", "fitted": true, "hidden": true, "spacing": "s", "styles": {} }, "57c613cc-033b-4e86-a512-f15edd389e9f": { "@layout": "d12143de-5df2-4317-9585-a96892526549", "@type": "layoutSettings", "block": "20819e47-f607-490c-bc3e-7b509621c697", "layout_size": "narrow_view" }, "841c0aa2-74fe-404f-8726-9343eca9ac85": { "@layout": "79ffe15a-1bc3-4e97-833f-838374d09237", "@marker": "eea_latest_version", "@type": "eea_latest_version", "block": "a51b8c5a-0209-4003-9103-69d752bab053" }, "844989f1-6db8-4ccd-ab71-54fcf566fdcc": { "@layout": "0a3f11ca-f5c1-4043-9780-1777a228fae9", "@type": "tabs_block", "block": "9dc00864-11b9-4834-a859-f2d99b506dda", "data": { "assetPosition": "top", "blocks": { "13e424cd-5934-4614-92ef-e6be8d05c441": { "@type": "tab", "blocks": { "8937dc26-5657-4105-959e-0bbf2352d771": { "@marker": "report_navigation", "@type": "contextNavigation", "bottomLevel": 0, "currentFolderOnly": true, "portal_type": [ "Document", "File", "Link" ], "root_node": [ { "@id": "/en/analysis/publications/transforming-the-eu-power-sector", "Description": "With\nfossil fuels still contributing to roughly half of the\nelectricity generated in Europe, moving away from a\ncarbon-intensive power supply over the next few decades\nwill require a commitment to increase investment in\nclean technology, restructure the fossil fuel energy\ninfrastructure and ensure a secure and affordable power\nsupply.\nIn this context, this report fills an important information\ngap by looking at:\n\u2022 the theoretical evolution of fossil fuel capacity by 2030\nin the absence of strong drivers to counter present\ntrends;\n\u2022 how this hypothetical evolution would fit in with the\nneed to create a qualitatively different EU power\nsector by 2030 and beyond, in line with EU climate\ngoals. ", "Title": "Transforming the EU power sector: avoiding a carbon lock-in", "title": "Transforming the EU power sector: avoiding a carbon lock-in" } ], "topLevel": 0, "variation": "report_navigation" }, "undefined": { "@type": "slate", "plaintext": "", "value": [ { "children": [ { "text": "" } ], "type": "p" } ] } }, "blocks_layout": { "items": [ "8937dc26-5657-4105-959e-0bbf2352d771" ] }, "title": "Additional files" }, "22266594-97f5-4524-946f-095a50759ae7": { "@type": "tab", "assetPosition": "top", "blocks": { "e1fb8a6d-3c95-45a9-8e67-c639f8ba6d23": { "@marker": "eea_versions", "@type": "eea_versions" } }, "blocks_layout": { "items": [ "e1fb8a6d-3c95-45a9-8e67-c639f8ba6d23" ] }, "iconSize": "small", "imageSize": "icon", "title": "All versions" }, "3ea17926-72e8-4d1c-a76a-09c6b4b1c3a4": { "@type": "tab", "blocks": { "b43f2ea4-098c-4323-b5b0-622b58580209": { "@marker": "maps_and_charts_list_slate", "@type": "slate", "plaintext": "", "value": [ { "children": [ { "text": "" } ], "type": "p" } ] } }, "blocks_layout": { "items": [ "b43f2ea4-098c-4323-b5b0-622b58580209" ] }, "selected": "6d5201c3-839b-49e2-8a92-fc62dd4b18f8", "title": "Maps and charts" }, "cf11b466-fb60-4b6a-a1f2-6f64aedb34e1": { "@type": "tab", "blocks": { "78f00585-4475-48cb-b757-32d8d9d8f94d": { "@marker": "translations_list_slate", "@type": "slate", "plaintext": "", "value": [ { "children": [ { "text": "" } ], "type": "p" } ] } }, "blocks_layout": { "items": [ "78f00585-4475-48cb-b757-32d8d9d8f94d" ] }, "title": "Translations" } }, "blocks_layout": { "items": [ "13e424cd-5934-4614-92ef-e6be8d05c441", "cf11b466-fb60-4b6a-a1f2-6f64aedb34e1", "3ea17926-72e8-4d1c-a76a-09c6b4b1c3a4", "22266594-97f5-4524-946f-095a50759ae7" ] }, "iconSize": "small", "imageSize": "icon" }, "hideEmptyTabs": true, "menuColor": "blue", "menuFluid": true, "menuInverted": true, "menuPointing": true, "menuSecondary": true, "styles": { "style_name": null }, "template": "accordion", "theme": "primary", "variation": "default", "verticalAlign": "flex-start" }, "8cb1f07e-229e-43a7-9f94-20d43314dde8": { "@layout": "a4517d09-f98f-4e88-9ed8-59509c7ac126", "@type": "columnsBlock", "block": "d94e3e6d-4d4b-42d4-b717-ca2c5c210e35", "data": { "blocks": { "20490e40-34d1-4dce-a424-fffcd6e4374a": { "blocks": { "205555ae-dceb-4c82-a2e2-a8602b804439": { "@type": "metadata", "data": { "id": "preview_image", "widget": "image" } }, "4220caf8-1bc2-4b92-9b51-5dc5ad4d9823": { "@type": "slate", "plaintext": "", "value": [ { "children": [ { "text": "" } ], "type": "p" } ] }, "a8efebab-eba8-40e8-9bcd-5092ac94f136": { "@type": "dividerBlock", "hidden": true, "spacing": "s", "styles": {} } }, "blocks_layout": { "items": [ "a8efebab-eba8-40e8-9bcd-5092ac94f136", "205555ae-dceb-4c82-a2e2-a8602b804439", "4220caf8-1bc2-4b92-9b51-5dc5ad4d9823" ] }, "settings": { "backgroundColor": "#f9f9f9" } }, "b7a84107-5bf1-4107-aca6-e67d32913f23": { "blocks": { "18b760c9-9207-4911-9fed-71868d7e99f2": { "@type": "dividerBlock", "hidden": true, "spacing": "s", "styles": {} }, "a609f125-29bc-4119-abe9-90e73a2597cf": { "@type": "columnsBlock", "data": { "blocks": { "10bca960-8890-4695-8cc4-6b300b543d1e": { "blocks": { "8f4a3784-7584-4d3e-a11d-1f4405cf9d2d": { "@marker": "serial_subtitle_slate", "@type": "slate", "plaintext": "EEA Report 22/2016", "value": [ { "children": [ { "children": [ { "text": "EEA Report 22/2016" } ], "type": "small" } ], "type": "p" } ] } }, "blocks_layout": { "items": [ "8f4a3784-7584-4d3e-a11d-1f4405cf9d2d" ] } }, "50a986e1-f23c-4d3f-88da-84c548552b29": { "blocks": { "4e6b89a2-e4f8-4c77-bf45-755588551bc5": { "@type": "slate", "plaintext": " 31 August 2024 ", "value": [ { "children": [ { "text": "" }, { "children": [ { "text": "" }, { "children": [ { "text": "31 August 2024" } ], "data": { "dateOnly": true, "metadata": "effective", "widget": "datetime" }, "type": "mention" }, { "text": "" } ], "type": "small" }, { "text": "" } ], "styleName": "text-right", "type": "p" } ] } }, "blocks_layout": { "items": [ "4e6b89a2-e4f8-4c77-bf45-755588551bc5" ] } } }, "blocks_layout": { "items": [ "10bca960-8890-4695-8cc4-6b300b543d1e", "50a986e1-f23c-4d3f-88da-84c548552b29" ] } }, "gridCols": [ "halfWidth", "halfWidth" ], "gridSize": 12, "styles": {} }, "a855e34f-b59b-4a45-b38a-fa1746cb906b": { "@type": "dividerBlock", "hidden": true, "section": false, "spacing": "s", "styles": {} }, "b4900f67-df5c-4ae3-9bf4-f6e8061e6b8c": { "@type": "slate", "plaintext": " Report title ", "value": [ { "children": [ { "text": "" }, { "children": [ { "text": "" }, { "children": [ { "style-report-title": true, "text": "Report title" } ], "data": { "metadata": "title", "widget": "string" }, "type": "mention" }, { "text": "" } ], "type": "strong" }, { "text": "" } ], "type": "p" } ] }, "b6d39691-72fd-47b1-9f13-8ed0649ff7ac": { "@marker": "file_call_to_action", "@type": "callToActionBlock", "download": true, "href": "/en/analysis/publications/transforming-the-eu-power-sector/transforming-the-eu-power-sector", "styles": { "align": "right", "theme": "primary" }, "text": "Download PDF report" }, "bdb5f43a-ef3d-42d8-99e2-36033aceaf92": { "@marker": "trailer_slate", "@type": "slate", "plaintext": "", "value": [ { "children": [ { "text": "" } ], "type": "p" } ] }, "c19dca87-3513-4d05-9b69-4f031c7e6399": { "@type": "description", "placeholder": "Type the report abstract in this block", "plaintext": "This report explores the historical trends, most recent progress and projected future progress on climate change mitigation through reduced GHG emissions, renewable energy gains and improved energy efficiency. It builds upon data reported by the EU-27 Member States, five EEA member countries and nine Contracting Parties of the Energy Community.", "value": [ { "children": [ { "text": "This report explores the historical trends, most recent progress and projected future progress on climate change mitigation through reduced GHG emissions, renewable energy gains and improved energy efficiency. It builds upon data reported by the EU-27 Member States, five EEA member countries and nine Contracting Parties of the Energy Community." } ], "type": "p" } ] }, "d9cf70d9-eefc-4fea-8ff7-5a02881e19db": { "@marker": "order_id_isbn_slate", "@type": "slate", "plaintext": "EN PDF: TH-AL-16-021-EN-N - ISBN: 978-92-9213-809-7", "value": [ { "children": [ { "text": "EN PDF: TH-AL-16-021-EN-N - ISBN: 978-92-9213-809-7" } ], "type": "p" } ] }, "f7db5c9c-cbd8-4829-97b1-71e589e979fc": { "@type": "dividerBlock", "hidden": true, "section": true } }, "blocks_layout": { "items": [ "18b760c9-9207-4911-9fed-71868d7e99f2", "b4900f67-df5c-4ae3-9bf4-f6e8061e6b8c", "a609f125-29bc-4119-abe9-90e73a2597cf", "c19dca87-3513-4d05-9b69-4f031c7e6399", "f7db5c9c-cbd8-4829-97b1-71e589e979fc", "d9cf70d9-eefc-4fea-8ff7-5a02881e19db", "a855e34f-b59b-4a45-b38a-fa1746cb906b", "bdb5f43a-ef3d-42d8-99e2-36033aceaf92", "b6d39691-72fd-47b1-9f13-8ed0649ff7ac" ] }, "settings": { "backgroundColor": "#f9f9f9" } } }, "blocks_layout": { "items": [ "20490e40-34d1-4dce-a424-fffcd6e4374a", "b7a84107-5bf1-4107-aca6-e67d32913f23" ] } }, "gridCols": [ "oneThird", "twoThirds" ], "gridSize": 12, "styles": { "style_name": null } }, "9f65b343-152c-4363-81d5-53fa45f78c36": { "@layout": "d7d5dfa6-68fd-41b4-92c5-6c36f8affb32", "@type": "dividerBlock", "block": "eb802af6-16c8-4e07-85f8-b14b80d2b98a", "hidden": true, "section": true } }
Blocks Layout { "items": [ "050e7410-e376-4ff3-9a9c-7c2a7dd2b8d9", "57c613cc-033b-4e86-a512-f15edd389e9f", "841c0aa2-74fe-404f-8726-9343eca9ac85", "2e634209-c5a6-4040-b2fa-9197c405717b", "8cb1f07e-229e-43a7-9f94-20d43314dde8", "9f65b343-152c-4363-81d5-53fa45f78c36", "844989f1-6db8-4ccd-ab71-54fcf566fdcc" ] }
EEA core metadata
Topics Air pollution, Climate change mitigation, Energy
Temporal coverage { "temporal": [] }
Geographical coverage { "geolocation": [ { "label": "Austria", "value": "geo-2782113" }, { "label": "Belgium", "value": "geo-2802361" }, { "label": "Bulgaria", "value": "geo-732800" }, { "label": "Croatia", "value": "geo-3202326" }, { "label": "Cyprus", "value": "geo-146669" }, { "label": "Czechia", "value": "geo-3077311" }, { "label": "Denmark", "value": "geo-2623032" }, { "label": "Estonia", "value": "geo-453733" }, { "label": "Finland", "value": "geo-660013" }, { "label": "France", "value": "geo-3017382" }, { "label": "Germany", "value": "geo-2921044" }, { "label": "Greece", "value": "geo-390903" }, { "label": "Hungary", "value": "geo-719819" }, { "label": "Ireland", "value": "geo-2963597" }, { "label": "Italy", "value": "geo-3175395" }, { "label": "Latvia", "value": "geo-458258" }, { "label": "Lithuania", "value": "geo-597427" }, { "label": "Luxembourg", "value": "geo-2960313" }, { "label": "Malta", "value": "geo-2562770" }, { "label": "Netherlands", "value": "geo-2750405" }, { "label": "Poland", "value": "geo-798544" }, { "label": "Portugal", "value": "geo-2264397" }, { "label": "Romania", "value": "geo-798549" }, { "label": "Slovakia", "value": "geo-3057568" }, { "label": "Slovenia", "value": "geo-3190538" }, { "label": "Spain", "value": "geo-2510769" }, { "label": "Sweden", "value": "geo-2661886" }, { "label": "United Kingdom", "value": "geo-2635167" } ] }
Publisher
Rights
Other organisations involved
Add sources for the data used { "data": [] }
Categorization
Related Items
Settings
Short name transforming-the-eu-power-sector
Versioning enabled yes
Preview image
Preview image
Preview image caption
Contents