The EU set a target requiring that the Euro zone have 20% of its energy from renewable sources by 2020, and unusually for this kind of thing, the continent seems to be on track. In fact, over the last decade the EU has managed to double its renewable energy sector from 5.4% to 9% between 1999 and 2009, so if they can do it again they will have reached their target. Some countries are doing better than others, though.

Denmark, for example, saw its share of renewable energy rise from 8% to 17% of energy demands, constituting the biggest increase. Similarly Sweden saw its share rise from 27% to 34%, and Germany’s rose from 2% to 8% which is a quadrupling of size. Figures also show that 16.9% of Germany’s electricity is accounted for by renewables, which is another increase of four times.

The UK has been trailing behind on this front, however. Starting at the beginning of the period at a pathetic 0.9% they have only managed to bring it up to 3% which is not a good sign if they are taking seriously their pledge to have 15% of their energy demands met by renewables in 2020. Malta, however, produced the worst results, not increasing their percentage of renewables at all, though they were the only country to produce this poor result.

Perhaps one of the most encouraging figures was one published by the Spanish Wind Energy Association who announced that not only did wind energy produced the most electricity it has ever produced over a month period, but also that it produced more power in Spain than any other technology including nuclear. What more do we need to show that wind power is a viable alternative?

Regardless of which countries did what, there is an overall positive to take from this. It is not only an encouraging example of nation states working together for a common goal, but also presents a glimmer of hope that the worst of global warming’s effects may be avoided.

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