In the light of the EU 2030 Climate and Energy framework, Market Uptake of Solar Thermal Electricity through Cooperation (MUSTEC) aims to explore and propose concrete solutions to overcome the various factors that hinder the deployment of concentrated solar power (CSP) projects in Southern Europe capable of supplying renewable electricity on demand to Central and Northern European countries.
This report identifies, classifies, and assesses the relevance of the potential determinants (drivers and barriers) that may explain the use of the cooperation mechanisms of the Renewable Directive 28/2009/EC in the past. The analysis of such historical evidence constitutes a very useful knowledge base to understand the factors that will likely determine the future of renewable energy cooperation in Europe. The report explores forty potential determinants that explain the use of the renewable energy cooperation mechanisms from 2009 to 2017 and classifies them according to seven categories: political, technical, legal, geopolitical, public acceptance, economic, and climate factors. The report then assesses the importance of these factors across Member States through a questionnaire.
The analysis found that the number and relevance of those factors that played a “barrier” role is larger than for those factors playing an “enabler” role.
- The most relevant barriers to cooperation: (i) Public reaction in off-taker countries (investing taxpayers money abroad), (ii) Heterogeneous regulated energy prices and support schemes, (iii) Difficulties in communicating the benefits of cooperation, (iv) Resistance to loose sovereignty and control over national energy market, and (v) Uncertainty about the design options to implement the cooperation mechanisms.
- The most relevant drivers for cooperation: (i) Cost savings in member states target achievement, (ii) Contribution to improve technology performance and cost reductions, (iii) EU guidance in implementing the cooperation mechanism, (iv) New domestic jobs and industrial opportunities, and (v) Move towards the creation of an internal energy market.
The results suggest that different types of policy interventions will be needed in order to either activate the drivers or mitigate the barriers to the use of cooperation mechanisms.