Renewable Energy Share Remains Low Despite Ambitious EU Plans

Strategic Insights -

Researchers at the University of Ljubljana published a report highlighting the slow progress of renewable energy adoption in Europe, despite the EU's ambitious "Green Deal" plan to phase out fossil and nuclear fuels by 2050. The study analyzed the development of renewable energy in Slovenia between 2003 and 2019, showing a modest increase from 10% to 20% of primary energy from renewable sources, largely due to the use of wood for energy. However, the current level of consumption makes a complete switch to green energy technically and economically infeasible with current technologies. The researchers suggest that reducing energy consumption is a necessary solution, with passive house technology being a viable option.

Key Takeaways:

  • The European "Green Deal" plan aims to phase out fossil and nuclear fuels by 2050, replacing them with renewable energies.
  • Despite years of efforts and extensive investment, the global share of renewable energies remains less than 15%.
  • The development of renewable energy in Slovenia between 2003 and 2019 resulted in an increase from 10% to 20% of primary energy from renewable sources, mainly due to wood for energy use.
  • A complete switch to green energy is neither technologically nor economically feasible with current mature technologies.
  • Passive house technology is suggested as a solution to reduce energy consumption, characterized by an extremely low heating energy consumption of a maximum of 15 kWh/m2 per year.
  • The energy consumption in a passive house is only one-third of the statistical average consumption, as demonstrated by a practical example in the report.
  • The study highlights the need for energy-saving solutions, such as passive house technology, to achieve a green transition in the building sector.

Statistics:

  • Global share of renewable energies: less than 15%.
  • Share of primary energy from renewable sources in Slovenia (2003-2019): From 10% to 20%.
  • Maximum heating energy consumption in passive house technology: 15 kWh/m2 per year.
  • Energy consumption in a passive house compared to the statistical average: one-third.
  • Target year for phasing out fossil and nuclear fuels: 2050.

Sources:

  • Feasibility of the green transition and energy saving potential in buildings. E3S Web of Conferences, 2025,634():02001. (E3S Web of Conferences - http://www.e3s-conferences.org/.)
  • NewsRx. Research on Renewable Energy Reported by Researchers at University of Ljubljana (Feasibility of the green transition and energy saving potential in buildings). Ecology, Environment & Conservation. July 18, 2025; p 378.