25 September 2018
Breaking new ground
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Overview
The decarbonisation of Europe’s electricity sector has been one of the most transformative changes in the economy over the last two decades. However, electricity is only about 24% of Europe’s energy consumption. And renewables account only for 30% of Europe’s electricity supply today. The vast majority of Europe’s energy remains fossil fuel-based.
Considering Europe’s remarkable potential for renewable power generation, a rapid electrification of the most carbon-intensive energy uses is the best and most efficient way to simultaneously decarbonise and grow Europe’s economy.
Integrating the power sector in heating, cooling and transport is the next big transformation in Europe’s economy. Coupled with advances in digitalisation, machine learning and artificial intelligence, a renewables-based energy system could become an engine of growth and technological leadership.
With this report, WindEurope puts forward two pathways for the electrification of Europe’s energy system, capitalising on the societal benefits of electrification.
Findings
Explore the key figures
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Main results of scenario analysis
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Benefits of Electrification
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Key input parameters to the scenarios
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Energy-related CO2 emissions trajectory – accelerated electrification scenario
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Final energy demand by sector of activity
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Final energy demand by fuel
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Energy-related CO2 emissions trajectory for Europe to comply with the Paris Agreement
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Energy expenditures as a share of GDP
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Final energy demand per sector
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Final energy demand per energy carrier
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Electricity use by sector
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Summary of scenarios and results
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Emissions in industrial processes, accelerated electrification scenario
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Energy use in manufacturing goods and industrial processes – Paris-compatible scenario
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Energy use in residential and commercial buildings
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Emissions in residential and commercial building
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EV share in new sales of light passenger and heavy vehicles
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Shifting drive train and vehicle fleet numbers
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Fuel use in road transport
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Energy use in transport per sub-sector
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Share of renewable electricity generation
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European power mix
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European power mix
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Grid capacity additions by voltage class
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Grid length in circuit kilometres by voltage level
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Hydrogen demand
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Residual load over 6 weeks in 2017 and 2050 in the Netherlands
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Sources of flexibility
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Seasonality of potential load shift
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Battery storage capacity available for Electric Vehicles compared to capacity required for managing variable RES
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