Page 45 - European Energy Innovation - spring 2019 publication

Spring 2019 European Energy Innovation 45

HYDROPOWER

Hydropower plays a
major role in meeting
Europe’s ambitious energy
transition goals and it
will continue to do so. Not only it
provides carbon-free electricity, it
also enables the energy transition
with its increasing share of variable
generation from wind and solar,
thus avoiding the destabilisation of
power grids.

To reach the climate objectives
set by the Paris agreement,
the European power sector is
undergoing major structural
adaptations. By 2045, renewables
– including wind, solar, hydropower
and biomass – will represent
over 80% of the energy supply. A
high-renewables future requires
increased flexibility, firm capacity
and the ability to balance variable
generation. Hydropower has all
these capabilities and can provide
these services in a sustainable way.

The power system is one of high
technical complexity, as supply
and demand have to meet in every
second. The European people
and businesses rely on the power
sector to ensure stability and
security of supply; the overall

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