L R AS Published on Tuesday 12 April 2022 - n° 401 - Categories:European countries

In brief from Europe: United Kingdom, Germany, Portugal, Spain, Greece, Austria

Europe in brief

The United Kingdom The UK: increase the country's solar capacity fivefold by 2035

In Germany To reach 215 GW by 2030 (compared to 59 GW at the end of 2021)

In Portugal auction for floating solar power plants

In Spain Simplify authorisations up to 150 MW

In Greece In Greece: 792 MW installed by 2021

In Austria In Austria: support for rooftop installations

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To address increasing energy volatility and ensure energy security, the UK aims to increase the country's solar capacity fivefold by 2035, from its current 14 GW to 70 GW.

The government is committed to consulting on changes to planning laws in the UK to "strengthen policy in favour of development" on unprotected land, i.e. land with low agricultural value and sites that are not part of the green belt, but environmental protections must remain in place.

The government wants to develop 24 GW of nuclear power by 2050, and 50 GW of offshore wind power by 2030

https://www.pv-tech.org/uk-to-relax-planning-laws-as-new-energy-strategy-sets-out-hope-of-five-fold-increase-in-pv-capacity-by-2035/

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Germany has has presented new measures that could lead to a cumulative installed photovoltaic capacity of 215 GW by 2030, compared to 200 GW planned by the coalition government (22 GW annually, compared to 5.2 GW in 2021). The government wants to simplify planning and approval procedures and push ahead with grid expansion. Renewable energies will be given priority in a future version of the German Renewable Energy Act, the EEG.

The capacity allocated in solar and wind tenders will be significantly increased. New remuneration rates should be applicable at the beginning of 2022 (the degressivity of the feed-in tariff should also be suspended until the beginning of 2024). Higher feed-in tariffs for rooftop PV will probably be announced soon.

The plan is for at least 80% of German electricity consumption to come from renewable sources by 2030.

https://www.pv-tech.org/german-government-raises-countrys-solar-target-aims-for-215gw-installed-by-2030/

https://www.pv-magazine.com/2022/04/06/germany-introduces-new-provisions-to-support-solar-wind/

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The auction of floating solar power plants in Portugal The auction of floating solar power plants in Portugal involved 183 MW, of which 103 MW of floating capacity was contracted by differences and 80 MW by compensation to the Portuguese National Electricity System (SEN). EDP Renováveis, a subsidiary of EDP, submitted the lowest bid of €4.13/MWh (the producer commits to pay this price to the state for 15 years), which allowed it to obtain a 15-year CfD for 70 MW of floating solar panels. Spanish company Endesa, through its subsidiary Endesa Generación Portugal, was awarded a 42 MW floating solar project. Voltalia was awarded 33 MW

https://www.pv-tech.org/portugal-floating-solar-auction-closes-with-record-negative-price-awards-183mw/

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The Spanish government has decided to accelerate the planning process for projects up to 150 MW until the end of 2024. These measures will only apply to projects with a low or medium environmental impact, and projects located in the "Red Natura 2000" area, a network of protected areas mandated by the European Union, will not be eligible.

The Spanish and Portuguese governments have also submitted new proposals to the European Commission that could limit the price of gas to €30/MWh.

https://www.pv-tech.org/spain-to-fast-track-solar-pv-permits-in-bid-to-tackle-energy-crisis/

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Greece has installed 792 MW by 2021

https://www.pv-magazine.com/2022/04/08/greece-installed-792-mw-of-pv-in-2021/

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Austria launches €240m reduction programme for rooftop PV

https://www.pv-magazine.com/2022/04/07/austria-launches-e240-million-rebate-scheme-for-rooftop-pv/

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