Greenpeace study throws light on Europe’s ‘hidden energy subsidies’

(EurActiv, 13 Sep 2018) Figures compiled by the environmental pressure group Greenpeace highlight the lack of transparency about the amount of cash disbursed by national governments to support back-up power plants – mainly fossil fuels and nuclear.

€58 billion – this is the total amount of money thrown at so-called “capacity mechanisms” across the EU, according to new research by Greenpeace, published on Thursday (13 September).

If the figure looks big, it’s because it covers both past, existing and planned “capacity mechanisms” – or national support schemes put in place across the 28-country bloc to remunerate power plants for remaining on standby in case of demand peak.

According to Greenpeace, countries handing out the most capacity mechanisms are Spain and Poland (€17.9 billion and €14.4 billion respectively), followed by Belgium, Ireland and the UK (all around €6 billion) and Germany (around €3 billion).

External link

EurActiv, 13 Sep 2018: Greenpeace study throws light on Europe’s ‘hidden energy subsidies’