Seven European Countries Pledge to Phase Out CO2-Emitting Power Plants by 2035

Seven countries, comprising Germany, the Netherlands, and France, have jointly pledged to phase out CO2-emitting power plants from their electricity systems by 2035, as reported by Reuters on December 18. These nations, accounting for nearly half of EU power production, have aligned their goals with existing EU climate measures, anticipating a nearly CO2-free power sector in Europe by 2040. By collaborating, the countries aim to accelerate the transition, enabling coordinated planning for essential infrastructure such as grids and energy storage. This collaboration becomes crucial for integrating substantial amounts of low-carbon power into the interconnected electricity system, facilitating the seamless flow of energy across national borders.

While the European Union already sourced 41% of its electricity from renewable sources in 2022, there is significant variability in the CO2 intensity of power generation among member countries. Austria and France lead in renewable energy adoption, while Poland faces challenges due to its high reliance on coal. A think-tank, Ember, suggests that with substantial upfront investments of up to EUR750bn in renewable sources and grids, Europe could achieve nearly decarbonized power by 2035. Wind and solar energy could contribute up to 80% of electricity by that date, ultimately resulting in cost savings compared to current fossil fuel-based plans, thanks to a reduced dependency on expensive fossil fuels.

Sources:

https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/seven-european-countries-pledge-co2-free-power-systems-by-2035-2023-12-18/