EuropaWorld2 6/10/2001 Solar Energy Capable of Meeting 25 per cent of Global Energy Needs, say Campaigners

26/10/2001
Solar Energy Capable of Meeting 25 per cent of Global Energy Needs, say Campaigners

Can renewable sources of energy ever generate sufficient power to repay the investment required? That has long been the question of the lips of energy experts. However desirable it may be to create electricity from the sun, wind or waves, the cost of doing so makes no sense. There are cheaper ways to save the planet say the money men. Nevertheless, there are signs that matters may be changing.

In Berlin last week the European Photovoltaic Industry Association (EPIA) and the environmental campaigners Greenpeace released a joint report that suggests that a billion people could benefit from being solar powered in less than twenty years time. And not only this, for the report's authors reckon that the sun could be providing more than a quarter of global energy needs by 2040, thus saving hundreds of millions of tonnes of greenhouse gases.

"It's a realistic, achievable goal, based on the current state of the industry and opportunities in the market, but it requires clear political support from governments around the world," said Sven Teske, Greenpeace energy expert. "We need to massively boost renewable energy sources if we are to phase out the fossil fuels that threaten our climate."

This is the key to making investment in solar energy efficient. Governments need to commit to the energy source in a major way in order that the cost of individual power units fall significantly.

The EPIA, represents 54 of Europe's leading solar companies. The association is responding to the challenge of solar power by expanding its role as a global advocate. If it can succeed there will be massive industrial as well as environmental benefits. The $75 billion infrastructure investment will create some 2 million jobs the 'Solar Generation' report says.

One potential problem in Europe may be the attitude of the European Commission. Greenpeace argue that they will need to give specific derogations from competition policies so as to allow member state governments to subsidise renewable energy sources.

"We must have a clear signal from national governments that there is a political commitment to expanding the role of solar electricity in the energy mix. In particular, the European Commission must ensure that innovative national incentive schemes for solar electricity are not invalidated on competition grounds," says Sven Teske.

The report suggests that by 2020 global solar output could be sufficient to meet 10 per cent of Europe's energy needs or 30 per cent of Africa's. That would allow the replacement of 75 coal fired power stations with clean energy sources and prevent the emission of 664 million tonnes of carbon dioxide, the report says.