A Path to a sustainable future
Renewable energy is derived from naturally replenished sources such as sunlight, wind, and water. Unlike fossil fuels, which take millions of years to form and release harmful emissions when burned, renewable energy offers a cleaner, sustainable alternative for powering our world. Transitioning to renewables is crucial in combating the climate crisis, as renewable energy generates far fewer emissions and has become cheaper and more accessible globally, even creating three times more jobs than fossil fuels.
Solar Energy
Solar energy is one of the most abundant renewable sources, with the sun providing about 10,000 times the energy humans currently consume. Solar technologies convert sunlight into electricity using photovoltaic panels, making it one of the fastest-growing and cost-effective energy solutions worldwide.
Wind Energy
Wind energy harnesses the power of moving air through large wind turbines, either onshore or offshore, offering a massive technical potential that exceeds global electricity demand.
Hydropower
Hydropower, currently the largest source of renewable electricity, uses the flow of water to generate power. While large-scale hydropower can impact ecosystems, small-scale hydro projects offer a more environmentally-friendly option.
Geothermal energy
Geothermal energy taps into the Earth’s natural heat, while bioenergy—created from organic materials – provides another sustainable energy source, though with some environmental concerns tied to land use and emissions.
As the world shifts away from fossil fuels, many countries are setting ambitious targets for renewable energy expansion. For instance, Poland is investing 40 billion złoty in offshore wind farms, expected to cut CO2 emissions by 102 million tons annually and create over 100,000 jobs. By 2040, Poland’s offshore wind capacity could meet nearly 60% of the country’s electricity demand, highlighting the transformative potential of renewable energy.
Despite remarkable progress, the renewable share of global energy consumption remains around 17%, and further investments in clean energy, infrastructure, and technologies are needed to meet global energy demands and climate goals by 2030. However, renewable energy’s growing role in power generation, supported by policies like the European Green Deal, paves the way for a cleaner, more sustainable future.
The EU 2030 renewable energy targets
The EU’s renewable energy ambitions have steadily grown, starting with a 20% target for 2020. The 2018 Renewable Energy Directive set a new 32% target for 2030, with room for upward revision. To align with the European Green Deal’s heightened climate goals, further revisions were proposed. In July 2021, the European Commission raised the target to 40% by 2030, with the REPowerEU plan in May 2022 increasing it to 45% to reduce dependence on Russian fossil fuels.
The revised Renewable Energy Directive EU/2023/2413 (RED III) now mandates a binding target of at least 42.5% by 2030, aiming for 45%, nearly doubling the EU’s renewable energy share. This directive came into force on 20 November 2023, reinforcing the EU’s commitment to a clean energy future.
With the increasing importance of the renewables and the number of auctions forecasted in the upcoming years, Flux Partners can help with bid management in the green tenders. Our advisors help our clients in writing winning proposals and realizing healthy and sustainable projects.