South East Europe has vast renewable potential

31.1.2017

On 14-15 January 2017, the seventh session of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) took place in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The session gathered government officials from over 150 countries, representatives from the private sector, civil society and international organisations.

The Cost-Competitive Renewable Power Generation: Potential across South East Europe report was released at a high-level meeting preceding the opening of the session. Policymakers from the South East Europe region (SEE) and key regional players discussed the opportunities and challenges in expanding the share of renewable energy at the meeting.

The report points out that SEE possesses vast technical renewable energy potential estimated to 740 GW, of which 532 GW is the potential of the region’s wind energy and 120 GW solar PV potential. 127 GW of this overall potential could be implemented in a cost-competitive way even today.

The IRENA agency’s report says this figure could rise further, to above 290 GW, if the region has access to more favourable cost of capital. The report also provides supporting information for decision-makers in the SEE region who plan to use renewables in a larger scale.

-tk-