Renewable electricity targets in selected countries in the EU-27 2030

As of May 2023, several countries across the European Union had established ambitious renewable power targets. Portugal, Denmark, and Austria plan to achieve a 100 percent renewable electricity generation by 2030. In contrast, Hungary and Slovakia's renewable targets for that year were below 30 percent. According to the EU Renewable Energy Directive, countries in the European Union must reach a share of at least 42.5 percent of renewables in their total energy consumption, although the directive encourages to aim for 45 percent. 

Renewable energy pipeline in Europe

The further deployment of renewable technologies in the region is essential to achieve these targets. As of May 2023, prospective wind energy projects in Europe’s renewable pipeline amounted to more than 600 gigawatts, although from this, only 31 megawatts were already in the construction stage. Northern Europe accounted for over 60 percent of the wind energy planned capacity in the region. Regarding solar, Europe had a utility-scale prospective capacity of 217 gigawatts, with Southern Europe accounting for most of planned installations.  

Europe’s wind and solar outlook

In the next years, wind and solar installations are forecast to more than double in the European Union. It is estimated that in 2030, the region’s solar capacity will amount to some 625 gigawatts, growing from the 257 gigawatts operating at the end of 2023. For wind, forecasts point to an installed capacity of roughly 440 gigawatts by 2030. Approximately 15 percent of this capacity will correspond to offshore installations.