EU will exceed Renewable Energy goal of 20 percent by 2020

The EU 27 will exceed its target of meeting 20 % of its gross final
energy consumption from renewable sources by 2020. Today the
European Wind Energy Association published its analysis of the 27
National Renewable Energy Action Plans, submitted by the EU
Member States to the European Commission.

"Taken together the Action Plans show that the EU-27 will meet
20.7 % of its 2020 energy consumption from renewables", said
Justin Wilkes, Policy Director of the European Wind Energy
Association (EWEA). The National Action Plans show that one third
(34%) of EU electricity demand will be supplied from renewables
by 2020.

Wind energy will generate 14% of Europe’s total electricity
demand in 2020 (494 TWh from 213 GW installed capacity), more
than any other renewable source, up from 4.2% in 2009. Ireland
will be the country with the highest wind energy penetration
level at 36.4% of its total electricity demand, followed by
Denmark at 31%.

15 Member States plan to exceed their national target, led by
Bulgaria at +2.8% above their target, Spain (+2.7%), Greece
(+2.2%), Hungary (+1.7) and Germany (+1.6%). 10 Member
States will meet their national target, and just two Member
States, Luxembourg (-2.1%) and Italy (-0.9%), have informed
the European Commission that they envisage using the
cooperation mechanisms to meet their national targets.

"It is very encouraging that 25 of the 27 EU countries intend
to either exceed or meet their target” said Wilkes. “This
shows the vast majority of EU countries clearly understand
the benefits of deploying renewable energy technologies,
particularly wind power."

The 34% of EU electricity demand met by renewables in 2020
is made up of 14.1% from wind energy (10% onshore, 4%
offshore), 10.5% from hydro, 6.6% from biomass, 2.7% from
solar photovoltaic, 0.5% from CSP, 0.3% from geothermal and
0.1% from ocean.