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Global energy demand grew at a faster-than-average pace in 2024. The increase was led by the electricity sector, driven by extremely high temperatures, electrification and digitalization. Renewables and natural gas covered the majority of additional energy needs while renewables and nuclear energy did the same for the growth in power generation, according to the IEA’s Global Energy Review.

The latest edition of the IEA’s Global Energy Review brings data on energy demand, supply, the uptake of new energy technologies and energy-related carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions.

Global energy demand rose by 2.2% last year – lower than GDP growth of 3.2% but considerably faster than the average annual demand increase of 1.3% between 2013 and 2023, the report underlines.

Emerging and developing economies accounted for over 80% of the increase in global energy demand in 2024. In China, energy consumption rose by less than 3%, half its 2023 rate and well below the country’s recent annual average. After several years of declines, advanced economies saw a return to growth, with their energy demand increasing by almost 1% in aggregate, according to the report.

Demand for all fuels and technologies expanded in 2024. The increase was led by the power sector as electricity demand surged by 4.3%, well above the 3.2% growth in global GDP.

Global electricity consumption rose by nearly 1,100 TWh in 2024, more than twice the annual average increase over the past decade. China made up more than half of the global increase in electricity demand.

The electricity consumption has increased due to higher demand for cooling, rising consumption by industry, the electrification of transport and growth of data centers and artificial intelligence, according to the report.

Electricity use in buildings accounted for nearly 60% of overall growth in 2024. The power capacity of data centers globally increased by an estimated 20%, or around 15 GW, mostly in the US and China. Meanwhile, global sales of electric cars rose by over 25%, surpassing 17 million units and accounting for one fifth of all car sales.

Renewables covered the biggest share (38%) of global energy supply growth, followed by natural gas (28%), coal (15%), oil (11%) and nuclear (8%), the report reads.

Renewables and nuclear energy together provided 80% of the growth in global electricity generation. They contributed 40% of total generation, the most so far, with renewables alone supplying 32%.

New renewables hit record levels for the 22nd consecutive year, with around 700 GW of total capacity added in 2024, nearly 80% of which was solar power.

Birol: The IEA report puts some clear facts on the table about what is happening globally

Photovoltaic and wind power output increased by a record 670 TWh, while generation from natural gas rose by 170 TWh and coal by 90 TWh. In the European Union, the share of generation provided by solar and wind surpassed the combined share of coal and gas for the first time. In the United States, the share of photovoltaics and wind rose to a combined 16%, overtaking coal. In China, they reached nearly 20% of total production.

According to IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol, there are many uncertainties in the world today and different narratives about energy, but the report puts some clear facts on the table about what is happening globally.

“What is certain is that electricity use is growing rapidly, pulling overall energy demand along with it to such an extent that it is enough to reverse years of declining energy consumption in advanced economies. The result is that demand for all major fuels and energy technologies increased in 2024, with renewables covering the largest share of the growth, followed by natural gas. And the strong expansion of solar, wind, nuclear power and EVs is increasingly loosening the links between economic growth and emissions,” he stressed.

Natural gas recorded the strongest demand growth among fossil fuels

As a result of the rise in power consumption, natural gas saw the strongest demand growth among fossil fuels. It increased by 2.7% in 2024, rising by 115 billion cubic metres, compared with an average of around 75 billion annually over the past decade.

China had the largest absolute growth in gas demand in 2024, by over 7% or 30 billion cubic meters. Demand expanded by around 2% or 20 billion in the United States, and modestly in the European Union.

Coal demand increase was driven by cooling needs

Global coal demand rose by 1% in 2024, half the rate of increase seen the previous year, according to the report.

Intense heatwaves in China and India pushed up electricity consumption for cooling. The two countries contributed more than 90% altogether of the annual increase in coal consumption globally, the report underlined.

CO2 emissions from the energy sector continued to increase in 2024 but at a slower rate than in 2023.

“Growth in energy-related carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions continues to decouple from global economic growth. Emissions growth slowed to 0.8% in 2024, while the global economy expanded by more than 3%,” IEA said.

Global energy demand grew at a faster-than-average pace in 2024. The increase was led by the electricity sector, driven by extremely high temperatures, electrification and digitalization. Renewables and natural gas covered the majority of additional energy needs while renewables and nuclear energy did the same for the growth in power generation, according to the IEA’s Global Energy Review.

The latest edition of the IEA’s Global Energy Review brings data on energy demand, supply, the uptake of new energy technologies and energy-related carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions.

Global energy demand rose by 2.2% last year – lower than GDP growth of 3.2% but considerably faster than the average annual demand increase of 1.3% between 2013 and 2023, the report underlines.

Emerging and developing economies accounted for over 80% of the increase in global energy demand in 2024. In China, energy consumption rose by less than 3%, half its 2023 rate and well below the country’s recent annual average. After several years of declines, advanced economies saw a return to growth, with their energy demand increasing by almost 1% in aggregate, according to the report.

Demand for all fuels and technologies expanded in 2024. The increase was led by the power sector as electricity demand surged by 4.3%, well above the 3.2% growth in global GDP.

Global electricity consumption rose by nearly 1,100 TWh in 2024, more than twice the annual average increase over the past decade. China made up more than half of the global increase in electricity demand.

The electricity consumption has increased due to higher demand for cooling, rising consumption by industry, the electrification of transport and growth of data centers and artificial intelligence, according to the report.

Electricity use in buildings accounted for nearly 60% of overall growth in 2024. The power capacity of data centers globally increased by an estimated 20%, or around 15 GW, mostly in the US and China. Meanwhile, global sales of electric cars rose by over 25%, surpassing 17 million units and accounting for one fifth of all car sales.

Renewables covered the biggest share (38%) of global energy supply growth, followed by natural gas (28%), coal (15%), oil (11%) and nuclear (8%), the report reads.

Renewables and nuclear energy together provided 80% of the growth in global electricity generation. They contributed 40% of total generation, the most so far, with renewables alone supplying 32%.

New renewables hit record levels for the 22nd consecutive year, with around 700 GW of total capacity added in 2024, nearly 80% of which was solar power.

Birol: The IEA report puts some clear facts on the table about what is happening globally

Photovoltaic and wind power output increased by a record 670 TWh, while generation from natural gas rose by 170 TWh and coal by 90 TWh. In the European Union, the share of generation provided by solar and wind surpassed the combined share of coal and gas for the first time. In the United States, the share of photovoltaics and wind rose to a combined 16%, overtaking coal. In China, they reached nearly 20% of total production.

According to IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol, there are many uncertainties in the world today and different narratives about energy, but the report puts some clear facts on the table about what is happening globally.

“What is certain is that electricity use is growing rapidly, pulling overall energy demand along with it to such an extent that it is enough to reverse years of declining energy consumption in advanced economies. The result is that demand for all major fuels and energy technologies increased in 2024, with renewables covering the largest share of the growth, followed by natural gas. And the strong expansion of solar, wind, nuclear power and EVs is increasingly loosening the links between economic growth and emissions,” he stressed.

Natural gas recorded the strongest demand growth among fossil fuels

As a result of the rise in power consumption, natural gas saw the strongest demand growth among fossil fuels. It increased by 2.7% in 2024, rising by 115 billion cubic metres, compared with an average of around 75 billion annually over the past decade.

China had the largest absolute growth in gas demand in 2024, by over 7% or 30 billion cubic meters. Demand expanded by around 2% or 20 billion in the United States, and modestly in the European Union.

Coal demand increase was driven by cooling needs

Global coal demand rose by 1% in 2024, half the rate of increase seen the previous year, according to the report.

Intense heatwaves in China and India pushed up electricity consumption for cooling. The two countries contributed more than 90% altogether of the annual increase in coal consumption globally, the report underlined.

CO2 emissions from the energy sector continued to increase in 2024 but at a slower rate than in 2023.

“Growth in energy-related carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions continues to decouple from global economic growth. Emissions growth slowed to 0.8% in 2024, while the global economy expanded by more than 3%,” IEA said.

With 585 GW of capacity additions, renewables accounted for over 92.5% of power expansion globally in 2024, the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) said. Solar power and wind dominated again, as did China. The country contributed a stunning 63.8% in total, and 61.5% and 70.5% in the two technologies, respectively. It surpassed a 50% share in the world’s operational photovoltaic capacity.

In Southeastern Europe, eight countries had solar power expansion rates above the global 32%. Croatia almost doubled its PV capacity, while Turkey had almost as much online as all others put together.

Renewable Capacity Statistics 2025, released by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), show a massive increase in renewable power capacity during 2024, reaching 4.49 TW. The record 585 GW addition last year makes up a 92.5% share of the total, and the rate of annual growth hit an all-time high 15.1%.

Solar energy accounted for a tremendous 77.2% of all expansion. It grew by 452 GW in absolute terms, or 32%, to 1.87 TW. The technology topped 1 TW just two years before. Notably, Global Solar Council earlier declared that the 2 TW threshold of total photovoltaic capacity was reached in 2024.

IRENA said wind energy surged 11.1% (113 GW) to 1.13 TW. Hydropower achieved net growth of only 1.1% or 15.5 GW, to 1.43 TW.

It should be said here that the output from hydro and wind is three and almost two times higher, respectively, per unit of capacity than that from photovoltaics.

The bioenergy segment grew 3.2% to 151 GW, while geothermal added 2.5%, reaching 15.4 GW. As for pure pumped storage (excluding the facilities with dual use), a technology essential for balancing intermittent sources, the capacity increased by a neglectable 0.4%, to 142 GW.

China still eclipsing rest of world in expansion in three main renewables technologies

Solar and wind energy continued to dominate renewables capacity expansion, jointly accounting for 96.6% of all net additions.

“Renewables renew economies. But the shift to clean energy must be faster and fairer – with all countries given the chance to fully benefit from cheap, clean renewable power,” said United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres.

Indeed, the picture would be completely different without China. It is by far the strongest force in the sector, including the production of equipment for renewable electricity plants.

At the current pace, the world would come up 0.8 TW short of the 2030 climate-related renewables target

China accounted for 63.8% of last year’s added capacity, 70.5% of wind power and 61.5% of photovoltaic systems. It boosted its hydropower fleet by 14.4 GW, a whopping 93% of the total, to 436 GW.

The country’s overall renewables capacity soared 25.7% to 1.83 TW. The wind power item increased 18.1% to 522 GW and the installed capacity of PV systems spiked 45.6% to 888 GW. It means China now hosts more than half of the world’s solar power!

Maintaining the overall growth rate in renewables registered in 2024 would bring the global capacity to 10.4 TW by 2030. It would be 0.8 TW below the target for keeping global warming at a maximum 1.5 degrees Celsius.

Turkey boosts PV fleet by 76% to 19.9 GW in 2024

Countries in the region that Balkan Green Energy News tracks mostly achieved stellar progress in photovoltaics, while other segments generally stagnated.

Turkey is undisputed in solar power – growing 76% to 19.9 GW, while all others had almost 22.5 GW put together last year. The wind sector was solid, rallying 9.9% to just under 13 GW. Of note, Serbia’s wind power capacity growth, 18.4%, was the only one above the global rate. Its total reached 604 MW.

Eight countries in Southeastern Europe beat the world’s average in the expansion of photovoltaics last year, according to the new statistics.

After Turkey, the biggest solar power capacity, 9.3 GW, and absolute increase, 2.58 GW, is in Greece. The country registered a 39% growth.

In percentage terms, Croatia is the first in the Balkans, with 86%. It had 860 MW of solar power online. Romania’s capacity jumped 57% to 4.7 GW. Bulgaria added 1 GW, or 34%, reaching 3.9 GW. Slovenia hosted 1.31 GW of solar power at the end of last year, increasing it by 27%.

North Macedonia grew 65% to 833 MW and Cyprus increased its PV fleet by 25% to 724 MW.

The remaining markets are all near the bottom of the list in Europe in solar power capacity. Albania had 307 MW in operation, advancing 48% year over year.

The update shows Serbia at 241 MW or 22% more than one year before. Montenegro had 30 MW, compared to 17 MW in 2023. Bosnia and Herzegovina remained at 212 MW and Kosovo* was stuck at 20 MW in the report that IRENA published, indicating a lack of new data.

With 585 GW of capacity additions, renewables accounted for over 92.5% of power expansion globally in 2024, the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) said. Solar power and wind dominated again, as did China. The country contributed a stunning 63.8% in total, and 61.5% and 70.5% in the two technologies, respectively. It surpassed a 50% share in the world’s operational photovoltaic capacity.

In Southeastern Europe, eight countries had solar power expansion rates above the global 32%. Croatia almost doubled its PV capacity, while Turkey had almost as much online as all others put together.

Renewable Capacity Statistics 2025, released by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), show a massive increase in renewable power capacity during 2024, reaching 4.49 TW. The record 585 GW addition last year makes up a 92.5% share of the total, and the rate of annual growth hit an all-time high 15.1%.

Solar energy accounted for a tremendous 77.2% of all expansion. It grew by 452 GW in absolute terms, or 32%, to 1.87 TW. The technology topped 1 TW just two years before. Notably, Global Solar Council earlier declared that the 2 TW threshold of total photovoltaic capacity was reached in 2024.

IRENA said wind energy surged 11.1% (113 GW) to 1.13 TW. Hydropower achieved net growth of only 1.1% or 15.5 GW, to 1.43 TW.

It should be said here that the output from hydro and wind is three and almost two times higher, respectively, per unit of capacity than that from photovoltaics.

The bioenergy segment grew 3.2% to 151 GW, while geothermal added 2.5%, reaching 15.4 GW. As for pure pumped storage (excluding the facilities with dual use), a technology essential for balancing intermittent sources, the capacity increased by a neglectable 0.4%, to 142 GW.

China still eclipsing rest of world in expansion in three main renewables technologies

Solar and wind energy continued to dominate renewables capacity expansion, jointly accounting for 96.6% of all net additions.

“Renewables renew economies. But the shift to clean energy must be faster and fairer – with all countries given the chance to fully benefit from cheap, clean renewable power,” said United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres.

Indeed, the picture would be completely different without China. It is by far the strongest force in the sector, including the production of equipment for renewable electricity plants.

At the current pace, the world would come up 0.8 TW short of the 2030 climate-related renewables target

China accounted for 63.8% of last year’s added capacity, 70.5% of wind power and 61.5% of photovoltaic systems. It boosted its hydropower fleet by 14.4 GW, a whopping 93% of the total, to 436 GW.

The country’s overall renewables capacity soared 25.7% to 1.83 TW. The wind power item increased 18.1% to 522 GW and the installed capacity of PV systems spiked 45.6% to 888 GW. It means China now hosts more than half of the world’s solar power!

Maintaining the overall growth rate in renewables registered in 2024 would bring the global capacity to 10.4 TW by 2030. It would be 0.8 TW below the target for keeping global warming at a maximum 1.5 degrees Celsius.

Turkey boosts PV fleet by 76% to 19.9 GW in 2024

Countries in the region that Balkan Green Energy News tracks mostly achieved stellar progress in photovoltaics, while other segments generally stagnated.

Turkey is undisputed in solar power – growing 76% to 19.9 GW, while all others had almost 22.5 GW put together last year. The wind sector was solid, rallying 9.9% to just under 13 GW. Of note, Serbia’s wind power capacity growth, 18.4%, was the only one above the global rate. Its total reached 604 MW.

Eight countries in Southeastern Europe beat the world’s average in the expansion of photovoltaics last year, according to the new statistics.

After Turkey, the biggest solar power capacity, 9.3 GW, and absolute increase, 2.58 GW, is in Greece. The country registered a 39% growth.

In percentage terms, Croatia is the first in the Balkans, with 86%. It had 860 MW of solar power online. Romania’s capacity jumped 57% to 4.7 GW. Bulgaria added 1 GW, or 34%, reaching 3.9 GW. Slovenia hosted 1.31 GW of solar power at the end of last year, increasing it by 27%.

North Macedonia grew 65% to 833 MW and Cyprus increased its PV fleet by 25% to 724 MW.

The remaining markets are all near the bottom of the list in Europe in solar power capacity. Albania had 307 MW in operation, advancing 48% year over year.

The update shows Serbia at 241 MW or 22% more than one year before. Montenegro had 30 MW, compared to 17 MW in 2023. Bosnia and Herzegovina remained at 212 MW and Kosovo* was stuck at 20 MW in the report that IRENA published, indicating a lack of new data.

Greek state-controlled utility Public Power Corp. (PPC) aims to become a major player in the rising data center and artificial intelligence market.

PPC (or, in Greek, Admie), announced its 2024 annual results. Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) rose by 41% to EUR 1.8 billion, while renewable energy capacity reached 6.2 GW. At the same time, green projects with a total capacity of 3.7 GW are at a mature level of development.

“We have raised our investments to EUR 3 billion with a focus on renewable energy, in order to become a leading powertech group,” said chairman and CEO George Stassis.

First data center to have 300 MW in capacity

PPC’s management also unveiled a grand plan to develop data centers in its former lignite mines in Western Macedonia. It is a EUR 5 billion project that envisages the installation of a large data center of 300 MW as a first step. If conditions are favorable, it could be upgraded to 1 GW.

The group has variuos other energy investments planned in its depleted open pit lignite mines. It aims to put an end to coal use by 2026, as the last plant, Ptolemaida 5, would be subsequently converted to a natural gas facility with a capacity of 350 MW. The new asset would also be able to burn hydrogen, the company said.

Furthermore, PPC is developing 1.3 GW of photovoltaics in the mines of Amyndaio and Ptolemaida, as well as 300 MW of battery energy storage systems, plus two pumped storage hydropower projects of 320 MW and 240 MW, respectively.

The new units would supply the data centers, with PPC positioning itself on both ends of the value chain to maximize profits.

PPC is in talks with potential partners for its first data center, Stassis added. The cost per megawatt is estimated at EUR 7 million to EUR 8 million, which is lower than in other European regions, he claimed.

Greek state-controlled utility Public Power Corp. (PPC) aims to become a major player in the rising data center and artificial intelligence market.

PPC (or, in Greek, Admie), announced its 2024 annual results. Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) rose by 41% to EUR 1.8 billion, while renewable energy capacity reached 6.2 GW. At the same time, green projects with a total capacity of 3.7 GW are at a mature level of development.

“We have raised our investments to EUR 3 billion with a focus on renewable energy, in order to become a leading powertech group,” said chairman and CEO George Stassis.

First data center to have 300 MW in capacity

PPC’s management also unveiled a grand plan to develop data centers in its former lignite mines in Western Macedonia. It is a EUR 5 billion project that envisages the installation of a large data center of 300 MW as a first step. If conditions are favorable, it could be upgraded to 1 GW.

The group has variuos other energy investments planned in its depleted open pit lignite mines. It aims to put an end to coal use by 2026, as the last plant, Ptolemaida 5, would be subsequently converted to a natural gas facility with a capacity of 350 MW. The new asset would also be able to burn hydrogen, the company said.

Furthermore, PPC is developing 1.3 GW of photovoltaics in the mines of Amyndaio and Ptolemaida, as well as 300 MW of battery energy storage systems, plus two pumped storage hydropower projects of 320 MW and 240 MW, respectively.

The new units would supply the data centers, with PPC positioning itself on both ends of the value chain to maximize profits.

PPC is in talks with potential partners for its first data center, Stassis added. The cost per megawatt is estimated at EUR 7 million to EUR 8 million, which is lower than in other European regions, he claimed.

State-owned Elektroprivreda Srbije (EPS) is analyzing options for the production and use of green hydrogen, including as an alternative fuel for coal-fired power plants, according to the power company’s representatives.

EPS CEO Dušan Živković said the Serbian utility has launched an analysis of the possibility and feasibility of production and storage of hydrogen as well as the use of hydrogen-based fuel in its production capacities.

The analysis will show EPS’s possibilities and how the company can start using hydrogen for its needs, Živković said at the 2nd Belgrade International Conference on Hydrogen, organized by the Cluster for the Development of Hydrogen Projects and Energija Balkana.

The aim is to determine potential locations, size, and method of use of production facilities. It would reveal options to store energy, diversify storage, reduce use of fossil fuel for energy production, integrate variable renewables and optimize the company’s power balance, the CEO underlined.

The best locations for hydrogen production are in thermal power plants

EPS’s Head of Ancillary Services Aleksandar Latinović explained that the best conditions for the production of green hydrogen are at the utility’s thermal power plants Nikola Tesla A (TENT A), Kostolac A, TE-TO Novi Sad, and TE-TO Zrenjanin.

The locations include facilities for chemical water treatment, connections to district heating systems and a strong grid, he added.

At the same time, EPS has significant opportunities for hydrogen consumption. The analysis includes the replacement of backup fuels in thermal power plants, such as fuel oil, with hydrogen and hydrogen-based fuels.

“If we were to build a facility for the production of hydrogen in TENT A, which we would use as backup fuel instead of fuel oil, we would need a 97 MW electrolyzer, which would be operational close to 9,000 hours a year,” Latinović explained.

Of note, EPS is analyzing several options for using alternative fuels in its coal-fired power plants.

The thermal sector will be the backbone of the power sector for several decades

In his words, hydropower plants currently carry the biggest burden in running the system, but it will slowly transition to thermal power plants, work regimes will change and the use of fuel oil will increase.

He does not doubt that the thermal sector would be the backbone of the power industry for several more decades. The integration of renewable energy sources will only increase the role of thermal power plants. They will be required to provide flexibility as well as start and terminate production more often, with consumption of fuel oil increased, Latinović claimed.

He stressed EPS would analyze in detail the use of hydrogen from several aspects – the economic one, environmental protection and increasing the flexibility of thermal power plants and energy independence, because hydrogen would be produced on site.

State-owned Elektroprivreda Srbije (EPS) is analyzing options for the production and use of green hydrogen, including as an alternative fuel for coal-fired power plants, according to the power company’s representatives.

EPS CEO Dušan Živković said the Serbian utility has launched an analysis of the possibility and feasibility of production and storage of hydrogen as well as the use of hydrogen-based fuel in its production capacities.

The analysis will show EPS’s possibilities and how the company can start using hydrogen for its needs, Živković said at the 2nd Belgrade International Conference on Hydrogen, organized by the Cluster for the Development of Hydrogen Projects and Energija Balkana.

The aim is to determine potential locations, size, and method of use of production facilities. It would reveal options to store energy, diversify storage, reduce use of fossil fuel for energy production, integrate variable renewables and optimize the company’s power balance, the CEO underlined.

The best locations for hydrogen production are in thermal power plants

EPS’s Head of Ancillary Services Aleksandar Latinović explained that the best conditions for the production of green hydrogen are at the utility’s thermal power plants Nikola Tesla A (TENT A), Kostolac A, TE-TO Novi Sad, and TE-TO Zrenjanin.

The locations include facilities for chemical water treatment, connections to district heating systems and a strong grid, he added.

At the same time, EPS has significant opportunities for hydrogen consumption. The analysis includes the replacement of backup fuels in thermal power plants, such as fuel oil, with hydrogen and hydrogen-based fuels.

“If we were to build a facility for the production of hydrogen in TENT A, which we would use as backup fuel instead of fuel oil, we would need a 97 MW electrolyzer, which would be operational close to 9,000 hours a year,” Latinović explained.

Of note, EPS is analyzing several options for using alternative fuels in its coal-fired power plants.

The thermal sector will be the backbone of the power sector for several decades

In his words, hydropower plants currently carry the biggest burden in running the system, but it will slowly transition to thermal power plants, work regimes will change and the use of fuel oil will increase.

He does not doubt that the thermal sector would be the backbone of the power industry for several more decades. The integration of renewable energy sources will only increase the role of thermal power plants. They will be required to provide flexibility as well as start and terminate production more often, with consumption of fuel oil increased, Latinović claimed.

He stressed EPS would analyze in detail the use of hydrogen from several aspects – the economic one, environmental protection and increasing the flexibility of thermal power plants and energy independence, because hydrogen would be produced on site.

The Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) and SolarPower Europe have partnered to advance sustainability in European football through solar energy.

The collaboration focuses on leveraging renewable energy, specifically solar power, to help UEFA, national football associations, and football clubs reduce their carbon footprints and contribute to a greener, more sustainable future for the sport, SolarPower Europe and UEFA said.

According to Michele Uva, UEFA’s Director of Social & Environmental Sustainability, the two organizations aim to enhance sustainable football infrastructure by advancing renewable energy implementation and best practices. “This partnership brings valuable expertise to a constantly evolving area of our work,” he noted.

Solar and football are a perfect match

“Solar and football already energise communities and nations across Europe – they’re a perfect match. We’re proud to take a natural step in working with UEFA to support their 2030 sustainability goals,” SolarPower Europe CEO Walburga Hemetsberger underlined.

As part of a cooperation agreement, the partnership will focus on expanding solar power use, facilitating power purchase agreements (PPAs) for long-term renewable energy supply, and hosting a webinar in 2025 to inform national football associations about solar energy and storage options.

The deal for the largest solar power plant in a football stadium was signed

Sports offer a great opportunity for applying solar technologies, Robert Cathcart wrote in an op-ed for Balkan Green Energy News. Stadiums are often ideal for solar installations, he added.

Interestingly, the deal for the largest solar power plant in a football stadium was signed yesterday.

Photovoltaic module manufacturer JA Solar and football club Borussia Dortmund have joined forces for the installation of a new PV system on the roof of Signal Iduna Park. The outcome would be the world’s largest PV system on a stadium roof.

The 4.2 MW solar power plant that Turkey’s energy company Enerjisa Enerji installed on the roof of Galatasaray’s stadium in Istanbul won the Guinness World Records title in 2022.

The Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) and SolarPower Europe have partnered to advance sustainability in European football through solar energy.

The collaboration focuses on leveraging renewable energy, specifically solar power, to help UEFA, national football associations, and football clubs reduce their carbon footprints and contribute to a greener, more sustainable future for the sport, SolarPower Europe and UEFA said.

According to Michele Uva, UEFA’s Director of Social & Environmental Sustainability, the two organizations aim to enhance sustainable football infrastructure by advancing renewable energy implementation and best practices. “This partnership brings valuable expertise to a constantly evolving area of our work,” he noted.

Solar and football are a perfect match

“Solar and football already energise communities and nations across Europe – they’re a perfect match. We’re proud to take a natural step in working with UEFA to support their 2030 sustainability goals,” SolarPower Europe CEO Walburga Hemetsberger underlined.

As part of a cooperation agreement, the partnership will focus on expanding solar power use, facilitating power purchase agreements (PPAs) for long-term renewable energy supply, and hosting a webinar in 2025 to inform national football associations about solar energy and storage options.

The deal for the largest solar power plant in a football stadium was signed

Sports offer a great opportunity for applying solar technologies, Robert Cathcart wrote in an op-ed for Balkan Green Energy News. Stadiums are often ideal for solar installations, he added.

Interestingly, the deal for the largest solar power plant in a football stadium was signed yesterday.

Photovoltaic module manufacturer JA Solar and football club Borussia Dortmund have joined forces for the installation of a new PV system on the roof of Signal Iduna Park. The outcome would be the world’s largest PV system on a stadium roof.

The 4.2 MW solar power plant that Turkey’s energy company Enerjisa Enerji installed on the roof of Galatasaray’s stadium in Istanbul won the Guinness World Records title in 2022.

Greek company Katheris said it installed the country’s first solar panel recycling machine. As one of few such endeavors in entire Southeastern Europe, the business move could contribute to the development of a lucrative market that would ease environmental and climate impact.

Repairing and recycling solar panels is limited, and landfilling is still a common practice throughout the world. Photovoltaic waste is expected to reach 4% to 14% of total electricity production capacity by 2030 and rise to as much as 60 to 80 million tons by 2050. Katheris, a recycling company based in Herakleion (Heraklion), the capital of Crete, Greece’s largest island, saw an opportunity in solar panel waste.

PV modules contain valuable materials, of which silver, crystalline silicon, aluminum and copper are the most valuable. There are also toxic heavy metals inside, a major environmental risk.

Before modular designs become standardized so panels can be dismantled easily, the development of a recycling market will likely remain slow. Landfilling is cheap when there are no strict regulations for such electronic waste, and recovering separate materials is costly.

Some recyclers just crush or pulverize the decommissioned or damaged photovoltaic devices. The material is then used for a different purpose. The value of separate raw materials is lost and the waste is downcycled rather than recycled or reused.

Solar panel recycling to prevent environmental devastation, save resources

Katheris said it has set up Greece’s first solar panel recycling machine. The company with 70 employees said it is evolving and expanding the range of materials that it handles and recovers.

“By recycling photovoltaic panels, we contribute to saving resources and preventing the devastating impact that the disposal of these materials can have on the environment,” the announcement reads.

Solutions other than landfilling necessary for billions of PV modules

There is some 2 TW of solar power systems installed in the world as the capacity has doubled in just two years. It means solutions are necessary for several billion PV modules that will reach the end of their operating life within 30 years.

Solar panel recycling is exceptionally important for the climate, and manufacturing expenses as well. Purifying silicon is an especially energy-intensive process, still largely conducted using fossil fuels, and the production of the remaining materials is comparable.

As for the rest of the region covered by Balkan Green Energy News, Romania is an important example with its solar panel industry grant program, as it includes funds for recycling activities.

Greek company Katheris said it installed the country’s first solar panel recycling machine. As one of few such endeavors in entire Southeastern Europe, the business move could contribute to the development of a lucrative market that would ease environmental and climate impact.

Repairing and recycling solar panels is limited, and landfilling is still a common practice throughout the world. Photovoltaic waste is expected to reach 4% to 14% of total electricity production capacity by 2030 and rise to as much as 60 to 80 million tons by 2050. Katheris, a recycling company based in Herakleion (Heraklion), the capital of Crete, Greece’s largest island, saw an opportunity in solar panel waste.

PV modules contain valuable materials, of which silver, crystalline silicon, aluminum and copper are the most valuable. There are also toxic heavy metals inside, a major environmental risk.

Before modular designs become standardized so panels can be dismantled easily, the development of a recycling market will likely remain slow. Landfilling is cheap when there are no strict regulations for such electronic waste, and recovering separate materials is costly.

Some recyclers just crush or pulverize the decommissioned or damaged photovoltaic devices. The material is then used for a different purpose. The value of separate raw materials is lost and the waste is downcycled rather than recycled or reused.

Solar panel recycling to prevent environmental devastation, save resources

Katheris said it has set up Greece’s first solar panel recycling machine. The company with 70 employees said it is evolving and expanding the range of materials that it handles and recovers.

“By recycling photovoltaic panels, we contribute to saving resources and preventing the devastating impact that the disposal of these materials can have on the environment,” the announcement reads.

Solutions other than landfilling necessary for billions of PV modules

There is some 2 TW of solar power systems installed in the world as the capacity has doubled in just two years. It means solutions are necessary for several billion PV modules that will reach the end of their operating life within 30 years.

Solar panel recycling is exceptionally important for the climate, and manufacturing expenses as well. Purifying silicon is an especially energy-intensive process, still largely conducted using fossil fuels, and the production of the remaining materials is comparable.

As for the rest of the region covered by Balkan Green Energy News, Romania is an important example with its solar panel industry grant program, as it includes funds for recycling activities.