25 September 2018
Breaking new ground
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
Main results of scenario analysis
Benefits of Electrification
Key input parameters to the scenarios
Energy-related CO2 emissions trajectory – accelerated electrification scenario
Final energy demand by sector of activity
Final energy demand by fuel
Energy-related CO2 emissions trajectory for Europe to comply with the Paris Agreement
Energy expenditures as a share of GDP
Final energy demand per sector
Final energy demand per energy carrier
Electricity use by sector
Summary of scenarios and results
Emissions in industrial processes, accelerated electrification scenario
Energy use in manufacturing goods and industrial processes – Paris-compatible scenario
Energy use in residential and commercial buildings
Emissions in residential and commercial building
EV share in new sales of light passenger and heavy vehicles
Shifting drive train and vehicle fleet numbers
Fuel use in road transport
Energy use in transport per sub-sector
Share of renewable electricity generation
European power mix
European power mix
Grid capacity additions by voltage class
Grid length in circuit kilometres by voltage level
Hydrogen demand
Residual load over 6 weeks in 2017 and 2050 in the Netherlands
Sources of flexibility
Seasonality of potential load shift
Battery storage capacity available for Electric Vehicles compared to capacity required for managing variable RES
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