A new report ‘Breaking new ground’ predicts that a renewables-based electrification of Europe’s industrial processes, buildings and transport would allow Europe to reduce energy-related CO2 emissions by 90 per cent by 2050.

According to the WindEurope report, released at the Global Wind Summit in Hamburg, 62 per cent electrification is both realistic and affordable. It would increase total energy expenditure to 2.7 per cent of Europe’s GDP, half a percentage point more than currently envisaged policies, but it would reduce climate mitigation costs. Furthermore, the report shows that with 62 per cent electrification of energy, 78 per cent of the electricity would come from renewables.

To achieve this Europe will need to build longer and stronger electricity grids at a much faster rate than in the past ten years. Europe will also need to improve the flexibility of its power system. Storage, power-to-gas and demand response will all help to smooth renewables’ variable production. Digitalisation and smart grids meanwhile will allow utilities to deliver power to consumers when and where it’s needed.

WindEurope CEO Giles Dickson said: “Europe has done quite well at getting renewables into electricity but much less well at getting them into industrial processes, buildings and transport. We’ve got to change that if we’re serious about decarbonisation.”

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