Flock of sheep grazing in a solar farm with solar panels at sunset, Spain, Europe. Photo Credit: Juan Maria Coy Vergara/Getty Images
Environment Eastern EuropeSolar Energy Accelerates at Impressive Pace
Eastern Europe is experiencing a solar energy boom at an impressive pace.
“Many territories – especially in Spain, Portugal, and Romania – could produce 30 times or more the energy required, becoming major energy exporters,” notes the authors of the study.
In nine Eastern European countries, solar energy capacity has increased by 450% between 2019 and 2024, from 9 gigawatts to 46 gigawatts. This region’s increased capacity has risen at a much faster rate than the rest of Europe. According to some observers, this increase could be partially in response to the Russian-Ukrainian War, as nearby countries sought to rapidly reduce their reliance on Russian oil and gas. Solar is not only cleaner but also more reliable in helping countries achieve energy independence, as it offers a greater level of resilience due to its distributed nature, unlike offshore wind farms.
