A recent report by the European Environmental Bureau (EEB) reveals that Europe possesses sufficient land for the sustainable expansion of renewable energy sources, affirming the continent’s potential to increase solar and wind energy capacities without compromising nature or food production.
The analysis indicates that the European Union’s decarbonization by 2040 will require only half of the land deemed suitable for renewable energy, excluding natural reserves and high-value agricultural zones. The EEB study elaborates on the requirements to achieve 100 percent renewable energy in Europe sustainably, estimating that merely 2.2 percent of the EU’s total land area will be needed for current and future solar and wind power installations to phase out fossil fuels and nuclear energy, aiming for climate neutrality by 2040.
According to the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre, 5.2 percent of EU land is considered suitable for solar and wind energy development, based on stringent agricultural, environmental, and technical criteria. The majority of this land is located in rural areas, with 78 percent suitable for ground-mounted solar photovoltaic systems and 83 percent for onshore wind farms.
This study underscores Europe’s robust potential to transition to renewable energy, highlighting the vast opportunities for sustainable development across the continent.