Examining the further use of renewable energy sources across the region and establishing limits for their penetration in the energy system
The aim of this programme is to examine the further use of renewable energy sources across the region and establish the limits for their penetration in the energy system of the various countries in SEE. In parallel, the increasingly important role that RES play in the formulation of the various countries’ energy policies is also assessed and examined in relationship to EU’s set targets for 2030 and 2050. The increased penetration of RES (i.e. solar, wind, geothermal, hydro and biomass) in the regional energy mix, the required storage facilities and the impact in terms of economic growth and employment opportunities (as well as latest developments concerning the prospects for hydrogen supply in SE Europe) are areas of immediate interest to IENE. The programme also covers all relevant investment issues linked to the further development of RES and the introduction of storage and innovative technologies (hydrogen).
Over the last five years, the RES market has emerged as one of the most vibrant and fastest moving industries within the broader SE European energy sector. However, the huge RES potential in SE Europe still remains largely unexploited by several countries in all different geographical areas of the region. Because of SE Europe’s peculiar circumstances, mainly due to the high divergence of the economies in the region, there are great difficulties in advocating, let alone pursuing, common RES strategies.
Whatever the case may be in terms of adopted strategies, the further development of the RES sector in SE Europe is a one-way street and should be seen in line with the European and global strategies for energy and environment. A number of significant developments in terms of policy and infrastructure – and directly relevant to RES – are currently taking place in Europe, which, when completed by the end of this decade, will inevitably affect SE Europe and will have helped reshape the energy landscape of the region.