Seven EU countries need to boost wind and solar plans if the region is to meet its 2030 55% carbon emissions reduction target, according to a new report by think-tank Ember.
The report, which assesses member states’ National Energy and Climate Plans, says clean power will almost double to 60% of EU electricity by the end of the decade, driven by growth in wind and solar.
However, fossil fuels are still projected to generate 25% of the region’s electricity by 2030, with coal power only halving over the next decade and no plan to reduce natural gas.
Ember highlighted Belgium, Bulgaria, Czechia, Romania and Poland as making limited or no progress over the next decade and will account for 40% of the EU’s power sector emissions in 2030.
Germany and Italy are noted as only making slow progress, and will generate another 40% of power sector emissions at the end of the decade.
Ember said: “With the EU expected to strengthen climate targets for 2030, national governments will need to revisit their plans for the electricity system and identify where further emissions savings can be made.
“Our analysis makes it clear that this task is especially urgent in Belgium, Bulgaria, Czechia, Germany, Italy, Poland and Romania.”