The contribution of wind to total electricity production in Europe in 2020 reached a record 15%, according to a report by Enappsys Ltd. The growing dependence on wind turbines brings to the surface the problem of how to maintain a sufficient stock that will meet demand when the wind is not blowing. Without sufficient energy reserves, energy prices will be volatile.
“Many European countries believe that wind farms are becoming increasingly important in the energy mix. This trend was strongly felt in the data of 2020 and will probably be clearer in the coming years “, notes the director of Enappsys, Jean-Paul Harreman. .
With massive reductions in energy demand during the year due to lockdowns, overall production levels fell by 3% on an annual basis. Renewable energy sources, however, including biomass and waste, accounted for 41% of total production. In 2020, wind energy increased its share by 4%.
As RES continue to grow, gas production remains the main product of electricity generation, with a small increase. Production has almost doubled since 2015, surpassing that of carbon for the first time this year.
Despite the increase in the share of RES in total electricity production, it is necessary to cover a significant distance in order to achieve the goals of reducing pollution, as the production of fossil fuels still dominates the energy mix in Europe.
