Wind-power has made impressive progress. It has been growing globally at an annual rate of near 30% over the last decade. Europe dominates the market both as consumers and producers of wind energy. This positive development is above all the outcome of highly dynamic policies in Denmark, Germany and Spain.

For more information:
Wind Energy - The Facts , gives a comprehensive overview of wind energy’s past, present and future in the EU-25 covering: technology, costs and prices, industry and employment, environment, market development and R&D. Produced by The European Wind Energy Association (EWEA) and the European Commission’s Directorate General for Transport and Energy (DG TREN).

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Biomass Energy

Biomass is organic material, either raw or processed, with an intrinsic chemical energy content. Biomass can further be divided into more specific terminology, with different terms for different end uses: heating/cooling, power (electricity) generation or transportation. The term 'bioenergy' is commonly used for biomass energy systems that produce heating or cooling and/or electricity and 'biofuels' for liquid fuels for transportation. Given that the sector could make a major contribution to the security of supplies, biomass has become a major factor in energy, environmental and agricultural policies. Although progress has been made, this has not been enough given the potential of biomass and the available technologies.

For more information:

• IEA Bioenergy
• European Biomass Industry Association (EUBIA)
• BIOPOWER SWITCH, A Biomass Blueprint to Meet 15 % of OECD Electricity Demand by 2020, WWF & EUBIA, May 2004

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Photovoltaic solar power (PV)
In 2004 the global rate of growth in the solar electricity sector was 57%. Its potential is enormous and it is a highly popular source of power, but remains costly compared to other forms of electricity production. To bring down costs it is essential that the public services and the municipalities become involved in order to solve these technical and administrative problems.
For more information: European Photovoltaic Industry Association (EPIA)

• Solar Generation: This report shows that solar electricity can make a major contribution to a secure global electricity supply, including in remote regions, and help prevent dangerous climate change. It sets out a blueprint for a 62-billion-euro industry within 15 years. EPIA and Greenpeace, October 2004

Thermal solar energy (solar heating)
The solar heating of water offers major potential in the building industry, which represents 40% of the EU's energy consumption and which is increasing rapidly.

European market growth has been slow at an annual pace of 12%. Germany is still the leader in terms of market volume, with 47% of the European market. It is followed by Greece (14%), Austria (12%) and Spain (6%) but Cyprus is leading in terms of installed capacity with 431 kWth/1.000 inhabitants. Europe is leading in technology, but represents only 9% of the global market. China alone holds 78% of the world market. However, the market is still underexploited. Active promotion, distribution networks and commercial innovations are required.

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Hydropower

The technology is mature and most potential sites in Europe have been fully developed and represent 84% of installed renewable electricity in OECD. The large hydroelectric dams are in general competitive and do not need any particular assistance but the building of small hydroelectric power stations should be developed further.

Tidal power and wave power are two additional forms of tapping into the energy of the ocean, they are not very common at the moment but pilot plants are being installed in Europe.

For more information:

• European Small Hydropower Association (ESHA)
• The World Commission on Dams
  

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Geothermal Energy

In 1999 almost one million homes were heated by geothermal energy and new stations have been completed.

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