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ENERGY TRANSITION HUB What is the energy transition

 


The energy transition is the change to a low-carbon, environmentally rational, reliable and economically affordable model of energy supply. It is a medium to long term transition that requires the active and sustained involvement and engagement of all political, economic and social stakeholders.


The European Union has set a series of targets for 2030 (with intermediary milestones for 2020), in line with its "European Energy Union" strategy:

  • 40% cuts in greenhouse gas emissions (from 1990 levels).
  • 32% share of renewables in final energy consumption.
  • 32.5% improvement in energy efficiency.
  • 15% electricity interconnection between Member States.


Within this strategy, it identified 5 main challenges:

  • Decarbonisation (a carbon neutral economy by 2050).
  • Energy efficiency.
  • Energy security.
  • Internal energy and research market.
  • Innovation and competitiveness.


Each Member State must in turn design and implement its own Energy and Climate Plan with which to meet the Union's 10-year targets (2021-30). These plans had to be approved by the end of 2019. In the case of Spain, with a view to transitioning to an emission-neutral model by 2050 the (draft) Plan establishes the following targets:

  • 21% cut in greenhouse gas emissions (from 1990 levels).
  • 42% share of renewables in final energy consumption.
  • 74% share of renewables in electricity generation.
  • 39.6% improvement in energy efficiency.
  • 15% electricity interconnection with Member States.

 


Image: coal-burning power station, an example of the existing energy system, now under transition.