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May 7, 2025
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Global solar power capacity hits 2.2 TW in 2024, with Turkey among top growers

The world added 597 GW of photovoltaic capacity last year, achieving an astounding 36% rate of growth, SolarPower Europe found. China accounted for 55.1% of all new installations. Turkey is in the global top ten with its 1.42% annual share, while Greece is sixth in the world in the category of solar capacity per person.

SolarPower Europe calculated a much higher global total, 2.2 TW, for photovoltaic facilities at the end of 2024, than the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) – 1.87 TW. The Global Market Outlook for Solar Power 2025-2029 showed annual growth of 36%, by a record 597 GW. The increase itself was 33% higher than in 2023, the update reads.

Photovoltaics accounted for 81% of all new renewable electricity capacity added worldwide. While remaining a modest contributor to overall electricity generation for now, its share reached 6.9%, nearly doubling in just three years. It took nearly 70 years to reach the first terawatt, but only two to more than double it.

Total global capacity is projected at 7.1 TW by 2030

Other renewables accounted for 25% of electricity output in 2024.

In its “most realistic,” moderate scenario, the report’s authors anticipate a 10% increase in new installations to 655 GW this year. Annual growth rates remain in the low double digits through 2029, reaching 930 GW. Total capacity is projected at 7.1 TW by 2030, compared to the 11 TW renewable energy target from the United Nations Climate Change Conference COP28.

China hosted 44% of global solar fleet at end-2024

A key issue is the uneven distribution of solar market growth, SolarPower Europe pointed out. China grew by 329 GW, which is 30% more than in 2023 and more than the combined total of the other top 10 markets! Of note, IRENA measured just 278 GW.

China’s increase was 55.1% of the global total last year. It hit 985 GW overall, the report reads. It is 44% of the global photovoltaics fleet, after 40% in 2023 and 34% in 2022. In IRENA’s statistics, China topped 50% of all solar power installations in the world.

Turkey spikes 76% to 19.7 GW

Turkey, the largest country in the region that Balkan Green Energy News covers, delivered 8.5 GW, catapulting its capacity by 76% to complete 2024 at 19.7 GW.

Its addition made up 1.42% of the world’s annual increase, earning it the seventh position. Turkey’s absolute increase was five times higher than in 2023. Rooftop photovoltaics attributed a stunning 90%.

There are nearly 70 companies in the country actively engaged in PV module manufacturing, with a total capacity exceeding 40 GW. Several investments in solar cell production increased the segment to 2 GW altogether in annual terms.

The number of countries with expansion greater than 1 GW per year is 35, after 31 in 2023. The group, which includes Greece, Romania and Bulgaria, is seen getting ten more members in 2025.

EU within reach of 2030 target

At the end of last year, Europe had a total installed capacity of 407 GW, which is 25.2% more than in 2023. The European Union accounted for 338 GW, growing 23.9%.

The medium scenario suggests the EU would climb to 797 GW altogether by 2030, exceeding the REPowerEU target of 750 GW. But it is 11% lower than in last year’s outlook.

In 2024, solar power generation in the European Union surpassed coal for the first time. Its share in the electricity mix exceeded 10% and reached 20% or more in markets such as Cyprus, Greece, Hungary and Spain. The last two even touched 25%.

Germany is Europe’s largest solar market for 13 years in a row. Overall capacity surged 21% to 101 GW.

Romania is advancing in 2025 by an estimated 67% to 2.9 GW. The government provided strong backing for the rally, advancing large-scale solar projects.

Greece is sixth in world in watts per capita

The report reveals that Germany became the third country hosting more than 1 kW of solar power per capita. It spiked 20.5% to 1,187 W.

The first is Australia, which leaped 10.9% to 1,521 W per person. The Netherlands advanced 13.4% to 1,491 W.

All other countries in the top 10 chart are in Europe. Greece is in the global vanguard, in the sixth place, after spiking 40.3% to 964 W for every inhabitant.

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May 7, 2025
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Federation of BiH secures EUR 83 million for just transition of coal regions

Bosnia and Herzegovina has secured EUR 83 million for a just transition project, which includes installing renewable power plants, social protection measures, and skills development in coal regions.

The funds are for the Federation of BiH, one of the two entities constituting Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The Board of Executive Directors of the World Bank has approved a EUR 79.90 million loan and a EUR 2.89 million grant to support Bosnia and Herzegovina’s National Energy and Climate Plan, enhance energy independence, foster job opportunities, and strengthen local economies in former coal regions.

It explained that the Just Transition in Select Coal Regions of Bosnia and Herzegovina Project would help repurpose post-mining lands in Banovići, Zenica, and Kreka, and facilitate the closure of underground works in Zenica. The project entails support for the installation of renewable energy systems at Banovići and Kreka mines.

The project has four components

The measures also involve social protection and skills development for workers and communities seeking opportunities outside the coal sector, the international financing institution noted.

The project will be implemented by the Federal Ministry of Energy, Mining and Industry and the state-owned RMU Banovići coal mine operator and power utility Elektroprivreda Bosne i Hercegovine (EPBiH). It has four components.

The first focuses on enhancing the capacity of coal regions, their entities, and the state-level government to manage a just transition. It will support the Committee on Just Transition at the State Level, a state-level knowledge platform, and capacity building of the Interministerial Committee on Just Transition in the Federation of BiH.

The project includes the land repurposing master plans in Banovići, Zenica, and Kreka

Technical assistance to relevant FBiH ministries to enhance the existing regulatory laws on labor transitions will be provided.

Component 2 supports the repurposing of select post-mining lands in Banovići, Zenica, and Kreka, and closure of specific underground works in the Zenica mine. The segment includes implementing the land repurposing master plans in all three areas

The third part envisages the construction of new power plants. A photovoltaic system of 27 MW in peak capacity will be installed at two identified sites at the Banovići and Kreka mines. Annual power production is projected at over 30 GWh.

Sheldon: To make sure no one is left behind

Component 4 aims to mitigate the social and labor impacts of coal transition on workers and communities by covering the financial obligations toward the miners in Zenica, reskilling and retraining eligible workers in Banovići and Zenica, and supporting affected communities through community investment, the project reads.

According to the World Bank, BiH is developing a National Energy and Climate Plan (NECP). The lender intends to ensure that mine closure is environmentally and socially responsible, supporting new job opportunities and strengthening local economies in former coal regions.

“This new project is an opportunity to boost BiH’s energy security while supporting communities, making sure no one is left behind,” said Christopher Sheldon, World Bank Country Manager for BiH and Montenegro.

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May 7, 2025
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Kosovo* launches reconstruction of coal power plant unit

Kosovo Energy Corp. (KEK) began the reconstruction and modernization of one of the two units in its Kosovo B coal power plant. The works are part of a EUR 56.5 million project for the entire facility.

Kosovo* relies almost entirely on lignite in domestic electricity production, with a 92% share, the highest in the world. The failure of a gas pipeline project in 2021 and the sluggish development of wind and solar power projects have prompted the reconstruction of both old coal plants.

The works have officially started at last at Kosovo B, two years after government-owned power utility KEK signed a contract with General Electric. The entire project is worth EUR 56.5 million. Acting Prime Minister Albin Kurti said the company is financing the investment on its own.

The B2 unit, commissioned in 1984, is undergoing modernization and B1 is supposed to be next. It is one year older.

Investment cutting pollutant emmissions by 60%

The government said the project would increase annual output at Kosovo B by more than 600 GWh. According to the energy strategy through 2031, the two units had 260 MW each in effective capacity in 2022. It compares to 339 MW from when they were built.

Acting Minister of Economy Artane Rizvanolli said the coal plant’s operating life would be extended by 20 years. The plan is to cut the emissions of particulate matter and nitrogen oxides by 60%.

Capital repairs will be required once every ten years instead of every five years now, she underscored. Rizvanolli claimed the investment would cut power imports by EUR 23 million per year and boost exports by a minimum of EUR 20 million.

Budget much higher for reconstruction of one unit in Kosovo A coal plant

In February, KEK issued a call for the reconstruction of the Kosovo A3. The coal plant unit is 55 years old. The project is worth EUR 137.3 million.

The capacity would be raised to 215 MW from the current range of 120 MW to 140 MW. A3 originally had 200 MW.

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* This designation is without prejudice to positions onstatus and is in line with UNSCR 1244/99 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo declaration of independence.
May 7, 2025
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Self-consumption capacity set to break 1 GW in Greece

Renewable energy projects for self-consumption are expected to reach 1 GW this year in Greece.

According to the Green Tank, at the end of March 2025, self-consumption capacity amounted to 937.6 MW, of which the overwhelming majority (871.9 MW) was in photovoltaics.

It should be noted that last year the government introduced a big change in the segment. The net metering regime was abandoned in favor of net billing, following European guidelines.

Insufficient capacity limit

There were 32,955 self-consumption units in the country at the end of the first quarter. Projects in operation plus remaining applications are estimated at 1,865 MW, which is near the 2 GW ceiling, set by law.

Energy communities, small companies, farmers and individuals have asked for the available capacity to be increased.

They also complain that the Hellenic Distribution Network Operator (HEDNO or DEDDIE) is too slow with connecting them to the grid. The operator has mostly been integrating units in the category of up to 10.8 kW, while ignoring larger projects.

The Renewable Energy Sources Operator and Guarantees of Origin (DAPEEP) began accepting net billing applications for projects of over 10.8 kW only last month. It means it needs to accelerate connections to keep pace.

Renewable energy aggregators have warned that the regulatory framework is unclear when it comes to such projects and their representation in the market.

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May 7, 2025
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Croatia earmarks EUR 1.6 billion for Social Plan for Climate Policy

Croatia plans to achieve an efficient and just green transition by implementing its EUR 1.6 billion Social Plan for Climate Policy.

The Ministry of Environmental Protection and Green Transition has presented the Social Plan for Climate Policy and the European Union’s upcoming Emissions Trading System 2 (EU ETS 2) in Croatia’s capital Zagreb.

The event was organized as part of the process of developing the country’s Social Plan for Climate Policy. According to the ministry, the document outlines the green transition and includes measures and investments that would benefit vulnerable households, micro businesses, and users of transportation services.

The plan is being prepared within the framework of the Social Fund for Climate Policy, which is part of the EU’s Fit-for-55 legislative package. The aim is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 55% by 2030 from the 1990 level.

The social plan will be funded with proceeds from EU ETS 2

The new EU ETS 2 will cover CO2 emissions from buildings, road traffic, and small firms. Funding for the social plan will be secured from proceeds from the supplementary carbon pricing mechanism.

Minister Marija Vučković noted that after the public debate is over, the Social Plan for Climate Policy needs to be sent to the European Commission for adoption.

“With more than EUR 1.6 billion, our goal is to secure an efficient and just green transition that won’t leave behind the most vulnerable members of our society – households at risk of energy poverty, micro enterprises with limited adaptation capacities, but also the citizens that have difficulties accessing public transportation,” she pointed out.

The ministry is aware of the challenges that the transition carries, so it places special focus on mitigating socio-economic consequences and preventing risks affecting the most vulnerable people, as well as on education.

The plan defines various measures

The plan includes various measures. Some examples are renovating family houses with the worst energy performances, improving the availability of public transport in suburban, rural, and remote areas, subsidizing the purchase of vehicles with zero emissions, and providing direct financial incentives.

Representatives of the ministry Ana Juras and Predrag Božac described the operation and the establishment of the new part of the Emissions Trading System and presented the sectors that it would cover. They also spoke about the first round of measures and investments from the plan.

In another presentation, the audience learned the effect of EU ETS 2 on the prices of fossil fuels, the ministry said.

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May 7, 2025
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Croatia’s Pag island to produce green hydrogen using wave energy

The island town of Novalja could become one of the first in Croatia to begin the production of green hydrogen, and a rare example in the region. Moreover, the local authority would utilize innovative technology.

Croatia adopted its national strategy for hydrogen until 2050 in March 2022. The first hydrogen production facility could be installed in Križevci, according to a report from last year.

The local authority in Novalja on the island of Pag said it started its ambitious and innovative Zero Emission Corridor (ZEC) H2 project with the goal of establishing the production and distribution of green hydrogen – using only renewable energy.

The project represents a key step in the small town’s transition towards sustainable development and energy independence.

The construction of a pilot facility in the Žigljen port has already started

The preparations for the project included an analysis of suitable locations, including the ports of Novalja, Žigljen, and Tovarnele. As the first concrete step, the local authorities initiated the construction of a pilot plant in the port of Žigljen.

The facility would use innovative domestic technology for the generation of electricity from sea waves, the announcement reads. It would be used to power water electrolysis for the production of green hydrogen.

The facility is expected to become fully operational by 2027.

The ZEC H2 project would make Novalja an energy independent, emission-free town by 2030. The project’s main goals are to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions, increase energy efficiency, and encourage the use of renewables.

The construction of the pilot plant is financed through an EU program

The green hydrogen and excess energy would be used to power electric chargers, public transport and utility vehicles, public lighting, and city buildings.

The construction of the pilot plant is financed through the European Union’s Interregional Innovation Investments (I3) Instrument while substantial grants were secured from EU funds.

The ZEC H2 project confirms Novalja’s commitment to sustainable development, environmental protection, and the development of innovations in the green energy sector, the town’s leadership said.

According to data from August last year, there were 32 green hydrogen projects in Croatia. One of them was for the production of hydrogen using sewage sludge.

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