Page 217 - ΝΑΥΤΙΚΑ ΧΡΟΝΙΚΑ - ΟΚΤΩΒΡΙΟΣ 2024

& NATURAL

RESOURCES

• Renewable energy generation is break-
ing new capacity records. In the first half
of 2024, half of the EU’s electricity gen-
eration came from renewable sources.
• The share of Russian gas in EU imports
dropped from 45% in 2021 to 18% by
June 2024, while imports from trusted
partners like Norway and the US have
increased.
• The EU reached its 90% winter gas
storage target on 19 August 2024, well
ahead of the 1 November deadline.
• Energy prices are more stable and
remain significantly below the peak
levels of the energy crisis of 2022.
• The EU’s greenhouse gas emissions fell
by 32.5% from 1990 to 2022, while the
EU economy has grown by around 67%
in the same period.
• At international level, the EU led the
global initiative to triple renewable
energy capacity and double energy
efficiency improvements as part of the
transition away from fossil fuels, which
was endorsed by all Parties at COP28
in Dubai.
Significant progress has been made on renewable
energy. Wind power overtook gas to become the
EU’s second-largest source of electricity behind
describes how the EU has managed unprece- nuclear, and by the first half of 2024, renewables
dented challenges in the energy policy landscape generated 50% of electricity in the EU. In 2022
during this Commission’s mandate, equipping the EU’s primary energy consumption renewed
the EU with a regulatory framework for pursu- its downward trend, falling by 4.1%. Nevertheless,
ing the clean energy transition and laying the energy efficiency efforts will need to be stepped
foundations for renewed economic growth and up further for the EU to meet the 11.7% final
competitiveness. energy consumption reduction target by 2030.
Crucially, over the past years, the EU has man- Further improvement is needed, not least in the
aged to withstand critical risks to its security of electrification of heating equipment across the
energy supply, regain control over the energy board and the rate of renovation of buildings.
market and prices, and accelerate the transition Strengthened efforts are needed to address high
towards climate neutrality: energy prices. This is key to improving the com-

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