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Solar power in Europe

July 31, 2025 By EarthWise Leave a Comment

In June, solar power was the largest source of electricity in the European Union for the first time. Solar supplied a record 22% of the power for the 27-country bloc. At least 13 of the countries produced new monthly highs for solar power in June. The Netherlands got more than 40% of its electricity from solar power and Greece 35%. Other countries with record solar generation included France, Germany, and Sweden.

These solar records are for the most part a result of continuing installations of solar power in recent years as well as long stretches of hot and sunny weather.

Across the EU, nuclear power was the second largest source of electricity, followed by wind, natural gas, and hydropower. Coal generated only 6% of the EU’s electricity, a new monthly low. In fact, 15 countries in the EU don’t use any coal to generate electricity at all, including Austria, Belgium, and Ireland, which shut down its last coal plant in June. All fossil fuels combined generated less than 24% of EU electricity in June, just a little more than the record low of 22.9% set in May, 2024. Natural gas generation was somewhat higher than last year because of lower levels of hydro and wind generation.

Europe has been grappling with brutal heatwaves with triple-digit temperatures in multiple countries. The heatwaves were, of course, accompanied by plentiful sunshine, which at least provided abundant solar power at midday, when there was the greatest demand for air conditioning. This helped to take some of the pressure off the grid and helped to prevent blackouts.

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In a First, Solar Was Europe’s Biggest Source of Power Last Month

Photo, posted May 28, 2025, courtesy of Mike Popp via Flickr.

Earth Wise is a production of WAMC Northeast Public Radio

Marine heatwaves are spreading

July 21, 2025 By EarthWise Leave a Comment

Sea surface temperatures broke records in 2024 and a quarter of the world’s oceans are experiencing temperatures that qualify as a marine heatwave. A marine heatwave is a prolonged period during which ocean temperatures are significantly warmer than average for that specific location and time of year.

Unusual heatwaves have occurred in all the major ocean basins around the planet in recent years and some have become so intense that they are being called super marine heatwaves.

The seas off the coasts of the UK and Ireland experienced an unusually intense and long-lasting marine heatwave starting in April. Australia was recently struck by heatwaves on two coasts.

Hotter oceans are causing drastic changes to marine life, sea levels, and weather patterns. Some of the most apparent casualties of ocean warming have been coral reefs. About 84% of reefs worldwide experienced bleaching-level heat stress at some point between January 2023 and March 2025.

Excess heat in the oceans can affect weather patterns, making hurricanes more likely to rapidly intensify and become more destructive.

A recent study published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences concluded that climate change has been responsible for the overwhelming majority of marine heatwaves in recent decades.

People are learning to forecast these events. Eventually, parts of the ocean might enter a constant state of marine heatwave, at least by how it is defined today. Studying what is going on in the oceans today may provide insights into the future of the world’s oceans and provide guidance on how to try to achieve different outcomes.

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See How Marine Heat Waves Are Spreading Across the Globe

Photo, posted December 5, 2015, courtesy of Susanne Nilsson via Flickr.

Earth Wise is a production of WAMC Northeast Public Radio

The Clean Energy Transition Is Accelerating | Earth Wise

December 2, 2022 By EarthWise Leave a Comment

The world’s economies including its energy markets have been in turmoil in recent times but despite the chaotic conditions, the shift to clean energy is gaining momentum. This year, for the first time, the world is investing more in wind and solar power than in oil and gas drilling. Investments in renewables are expected to reach $494 billion this year, more than the $446 billion directed towards oil and gas extraction. It is rather sobering to realize that the world is still spending nearly half a trillion dollars a year to dig up more oil and gas.

According to the International Energy Agency, there will be an estimated 340 gigawatts of new renewable power capacity installed in 2022. This is roughly equal to the total installed power capacity of Japan, which has the world’s third-largest economy. This year is also seeing tremendous growth in electric cars, which are projected to make up 13% of all light-duty vehicle sales across the globe.

According to analysis by Bloomberg Green, 87 countries are now getting at least 5% of their power from wind and solar. This number is considered to be a critical tipping point at which emerging technologies become more widely adopted. The United States reached that 5% threshold in 2011. Last year, our country surpassed 20% solar and wind power. If we follow trends set by pioneering countries like Denmark, Ireland, and others, wind and solar will supply at least half of our power within the next decade.

Despite the turbulence in global energy markets, the shift to clean power is ongoing. Estimates are that global spending on renewables will double over the next 10 years.

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Despite Turmoil in Energy Markets, the Shift to Clean Energy Is Gaining Steam

Photo, posted June 12, 2013, courtesy of Activ Solar via Flickr.

Earth Wise is a production of WAMC Northeast Public Radio

Powering Amazon By The Sun | Earth Wise

June 29, 2020 By EarthWise Leave a Comment

Amazon.com is a multinational conglomerate company that sells nearly $300 billion dollars a year worth of products, employs over 800,000 people, and by any measure, consumes a tremendous amount of resources. In terms of its environmental impact, Amazon is estimated to be responsible for the emission of 50 million tons of CO2 annually, which is more than the yearly total for countries like Switzerland, Ireland, New Zealand, Denmark, and about 140 other countries.

Amazon is trying to reduce its environmental impact. The company recently announced five new renewable energy projects in China, Australia and the U.S. as part of its commitment to reach 80% renewable energy by 2024, 100% renewable energy by 2030, and to reach net zero carbon by 2040.

The projects include a 100 MW solar project in Shandong, China, a 105 MW solar project in New South Wales, Australia, two solar projects in Ohio (one 200 MW and one 80 MW), and a 130 MW solar project in Virginia.

To date, Amazon has announced 31 utility-scale wind and solar renewable energy projects as well as 60 solar rooftops on fulfillment centers and sort centers around the world. Taken together, these projects provide almost 3 GW of capacity and will deliver more than 7.6 million MWh of renewable energy annually.

In order for the world to meet the climate goals set by the Paris Agreement, it will take more than just countries to make and keep commitments. Whatever else one may think about Amazon’s place in the world, their latest efforts for the environment are a big step in the right direction.

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Amazon announces five new utility-scale solar projects to power operations in China, Australia, and the US

Photo, posted November 16, 2018, courtesy of Todd Van Hoosear via Flickr.

Earth Wise is a production of WAMC Northeast Public Radio.

Coronavirus And European Energy | Earth Wise

April 23, 2020 By EarthWise Leave a Comment

As people all over the world shelter in place and much ordinary commerce and other activities have ground to a halt, there have been big changes in energy usage. With production halted, offices shut down, schools closed, and public transport operated on reduced timetables, the demand for energy has decreased dramatically.

In Europe, as a result of all this, during the first quarter of this year, renewables’ share of total energy production was greater than 60%. Wind farms provided more than 40% of the renewables’ share of total electricity generation. During February, Denmark, Germany and Ireland saw nearly 50% of their electricity demand met with wind power. Hydroelectric power was the second largest source of renewable energy during the first quarter, with Norway providing the largest share of this. In contrast, generation from nuclear plants was at its lowest first quarter figure for the past five years.

The large shift to renewable generation was in great part due to the overall reduction in demand. This impacts nuclear and fossil-fuel generation much more than renewables because those plants can be throttled back or shut down entirely so as not to needlessly consume costly fuels. Generation that runs on sunlight, wind, or flowing water does not require fuel expenses, so it makes sense to prefer them when demand is reduced.

The reduction in demand has in turn had a major effect on fuel costs as oil reached low prices that haven’t been seen in years.

The decline in demand and fuel prices and the enhanced role of renewables are expected to continue in the current quarter as the timetable for renewed economic activity remains unknown.

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