Engie : Photovoltaic solar energy breaks records in Europe!

At the beginning of this year, the total amount of solar photovoltaic power generating capacity in Europe broke through the 100-gigawatt barrier. This figure has been made possible not only by falling generating costs, but also by the growing interest of business users and domestic consumers in this eco-friendly, innovative source of power. Here's the ENGIE assessment...

Photovoltaic solar power is no longer just an alternative. In just a few years, the industry has successfully established itself as a leading stakeholder in the European energy ecosystem. ENGIE has long been involved in the development of this technology, and is helping to drive this fundamental trend of the energy transition.

10% of Europe's energy generating capacity

In 2005, Europe had around 3 GW of photovoltaic capacity. A decade later, this figure had exploded to more than 100 GW, which is 10% of the continent's total energy generating capacity. Analyzed by consultants IHS, the trend is confirmed by Olivier Schäfer, President of the industry's association SolarPower Europe. In his view, the rapid growth in photovoltaic energy is explained by an 80% fall in generating costs, in combination with the introduction of industry support policies and subsidies at national level. It also proves the point that solar power is attracting more and more domestic and business consumers all the time.

ENGIE is committed to photovoltaic as part of envisioning tomorrow's energy world

ENGIE has been involved in the development of photovoltaic generating capacity in Europe for many years. The Group leads the solar power sector in France, with a total gross installed generating capacity of 383 MW. And it has no intention of stopping there: ENGIE subsidiary Solairedirect, La Compagnie Nationale du Rhône, La Compagnie du Vent and Futures Énergies were awarded contracts for 14 new photovoltaic projects in France at the end of 2015 following the bidding round launched by the Energy Regulatory Commission (Commission de Régulation de l'Energie - CRE). ENGIE is also developing many other innovative solutions, including the Alata Solar Smart Grid in Corsica, which combines a photovoltaic power generating plant with a smart energy storage solution.

ENGIE's worldwide solar photovoltaic power generating capacity of 201 MW is spread across 15 countries, with particular focus on Belgium, Italy, the Netherlands, Portugal, Chile and the USA. ENGIE also leads the Terrawatt Initiative that aims to fund the rollout of photovoltaic plants capable of generating more than 1 terawatt (1,000 gigawatts) of solar power by 2030.