Category: energy policy

Global markets in fossil fuels are curbing the development of renewable energy in Africa

Fossil fuels have dominated energy markets for decades and the industry has no intention of changing that.  While there are efforts to transform our energy systems to low carbon energy sources, the road is not easy or straightforward.  The Business Standard in India reports on the message from a UN official from the Economic Commission … Continue reading Global markets in fossil fuels are curbing the development of renewable energy in Africa →

Unintended impact of renewable energy targets in Romania

We have seen many EU member states retreating from high feed-in tariffs for renewable energy.  We see Germany bounding ahead with renewables as its centrepiece for its energy transition.  We have seen the European Commission recently propose a binding target for renewable energy for 2030, but binding only EU-wide and not for individual countries, whatever … Continue reading Unintended impact of renewable energy targets in Romania →

The roller coaster approach to renewable energy policy

This article by Colm Kelpie in the Irish Independent is quite disturbing because EU and national energy policies were supposed to develop a long-term policy framework that gave investors confidence and reduced risk.  Instead, we are seeing the traditional stop-start approach to energy policy.  If we are serious about 2030 or 2050 energy and climate … Continue reading The roller coaster approach to renewable energy policy →

Europe is losing out because of the wide energy price gap with the US

There is much discussion on Europe’s competitiveness and how the region is losing out to other countries with much lower energy prices.  As Pilita Clark of the Financial Times reports, the IEA’s chief economist is of the opinion that Europe is going to have difficulties for the next couple of decades, because the price gap … Continue reading Europe is losing out because of the wide energy price gap with the US →

Nicholas Stern answers . . .

For last week’s World Energy Forum held in Davos, Switzerland, Nicholas Stern, the economist and academic and author of the Stern Report on the economics of climate change, was asked several questions related to energy and climate policy by the UK’s Independent.   The Big Questions: Is fracking the answer to the UK’s energy needs? … Continue reading Nicholas Stern answers . . . →

The European Commission in the news

This week, the European Commission presented its long-expected 2030 climate and energy policy framework, whereby there will be a binding target for GHG emissions, a modest binding EU (but not at the member state level) target for renewable energy and, once again, a non-binding target for energy savings.  The purpose behind the policy framework is … Continue reading The European Commission in the news →

Germany’s energy transition under the microscope

EiD has recently referred to the increased use of coal in Germany and there is a lot of speculation what this means for Germany’s energy transition policy. EiD has also had many posts on Germany’s energy transition. Now, Daniel Mittler, Political Director of Greenpeace International, provides his explanation. EiD is still hoping to hear more … Continue reading Germany’s energy transition under the microscope →