Celebrated on 26 January, the International Day of Clean Energy highlights the urgent need for a just and inclusive transition to sustainable energy for both people and the planet. This date marks the founding of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), which supports global energy transitions through cooperation, data, and innovation. Clean energy is central to addressing the dual challenge of eradicating poverty and combating climate change. Currently, 685 million people lack electricity, with many in Sub-Saharan Africa relying on polluting fuels that perpetuate poverty. Renewable energy and improved energy efficiency are key to reversing this trend and achieving Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 7 by 2030, ensuring affordable, sustainable, and modern energy for all [2].
This week’s map highlights the progress in clean energy in the Europe Union (EU), featuring three map layers that shed light on key sustainable energy sources. First, the location of wind farms highlights wind power, where turbines convert wind into electricity; one of the leading sustainable energy sources. Offshore wind farms, benefiting from stronger and more consistent marine winds, have the potential to generate a steady supply of energy [3]. The map displays the point locations and operational status of these offshore wind farms in European seas. The second map layer, ocean energy project locations, showcases sites that harness the energy carried by ocean waves, tides, salinity, and temperature differences. These projects transform the kinetic energy of moving water into electricity to power homes, industries, and transport, whether through tidal, wave, or wind energy systems [4]. Finally, the ocean energy test sites map layer marks areas where new technologies are being developed to convert marine energy into electricity. Together, these map layers illustrate the potential and innovation behind clean energy efforts in European seas. Zoom in the map and learn more about renewable energy projects!
Clean energy development is integral to the European Green Deal, which sets ambitious goals for carbon neutrality by 2050. Key EU regulations, such as the Renewable Energy Directive, support the clean energy expansion, including offshore wind farms, to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, limit fossil fuels dependence and boost energy resilience [5]. Moreover, in 2023, the European Commission launched the Energy Transition Partnership (ETP) which aims to accelerate the shift to sustainable energy in EU fisheries and aquaculture by addressing technical, financial, and regulatory challenges. The ETP aims to foster collaboration through workshops and discussions, leading to a voluntary roadmap with clear steps toward climate neutrality by 2050. It also serves as a knowledge hub, sharing best practices and innovative solutions to drive the sector’s transformation.
Wish to learn more?
- Discover the EU’s approach to implementing the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development;
- On 19 February 2025, join the ETP workshop, “Navigating the Energy Transition”, to explore key challenges, share insights, and contribute to the sector’s energy transition roadmap. Register now;
- Watch Euronews’ OCEAN series latest video, ‘Safety nets: Can smarter fishing gear protect marine life and keep fishers afloat?’, and discover the DolphinFree project aiming to reduce dolphin mortality in the Bay of Biscay (France);
- Interested in connecting and sharing ideas about the ocean? Join the European Ocean Days on 3-7 March 2025 in Brussels and online. Register now !
The data in the map are provided by EMODnet.
[1] https://www.un.org/en/observances/clean-energy-day
[2] https://sdgs.un.org/goals/goal7
[3] https://windeurope.org/intelligence-platform/product/wind-energy-in-europe-2023-statistics-and-the-outlook-for-2024-2030/
[4] https://research-and-innovation.ec.europa.eu/research-area/energy/ocean-energy_en
[5] https://www.eea.europa.eu/en/analysis/indicators/share-of-energy-consumption-from