‘Minimal’ land required for renewables expansion in Europe

The latest report from the European Environmental Bureau (EEB) says that just 2.2% of the EU's total land is required for sufficient wind and solar projects to achieve carbon neutrality. Crucially the report finds that there is ample suitable land for renewable projects without harming food production or nature which is a common misconception. The report also highlights the benefits of agrivoltaics whereby solar and agriculture can coexist (see my previous post on agrivoltaics). Giving just 2.2% of our land to ensure we have an abundance of clean energy seems pretty sensible to me.

There are also huge economic and job creation opportunities in rural areas where degraded agricultural land can be repurposed. Interconnections between countries will aslo be key to the success of creating a totally renewable grid in the EU. Resources and land are not evenly distributed so collaboration is vital. Renewable energy presents such huge opportunities in Europe and we love supporting our clients who are at the forefront of developing and scaling the technology and infrastructure to achieve net zero.