Net Zero Nirvana
Spinning out of control
Posted on 30 Jul 24
by Mark Hodgson
“Renewables overtake fossil fuels to provide 30% of EU electricity – Report finds 13 member states generated more energy from wind and solar power than coal and gas for first time in 2024” gushed the Guardian earlier today. The article is in turn based on a report prepared by Ember, with the title “Wind and solar overtake EU fossil fuels in the first half of 2024”. It sounds great, doesn’t it? Net Zero Nirvana is almost within reach. Or perhaps it isn’t. One has to remember that Ember is a campaigning organisation and its work should always be read with that very important caveat in mind.
Thus it is that the claims in the report – while technically true – aren’t remotely as dramatic or impressive as they appear at first sight. Certainly, the UK’s new Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero might be well-advised not to be advised by people such as these.
The report very excitedly hails the growth of wind and solar in EU electricity generation, at the same time as noting the decline of fossil fuel use to generate electricity, but it comes with a huge caveat:
However, sustaining the EU’s electricity transition at this pace will require dedicated policy focus to ease barriers to wind and solar integration. Adequate support on grid connections and other enablers of swift development will be needed to ensure that economic, security and climate benefits are delivered across Europe.
https://cliscep.com/2024/07/30/net-zero-nirvana/
