RES benefits for economy more than €12bn over next decade

Overall RES electricity production investments to be made between 2020 and 2030 are expected to add more than 12 billion euros to the value of the national economy, according to the National Energy and Climate Plan, forwarded yesterday by the energy ministry for public consultation.

The plan also projects the creation of over 15,000 full-time jobs for the ensuing 25-year period.

Wind energy installed capacity is seen almost tripling to 6.4 GW in 2030 from 2.4 GW in 2016, as is PV capacity, to 6.9 GW from 2.6 GW in 2016, while hydropower capacity, including the main power utility PPC’s big units, is forecast to achieve a milder increase to 3.9 GW from 3.4 GW in 2016.

The wind energy sub-sector’s production is expected to increase to 14,933 GWh in 2030 from 5,146 GWH in 2016, PV output is forecast to rise to 10,514 GWh from 3,930 GWh in 2016, and hydropower production should grow to 6,269 GWh from 5,603 GWh in 2016, according to the plan.