CLIMATE CHANGE MONITORING SOUTH TYROL
+ 9 %
more renewable energy in gross final energy consumption since 2012
Share of renewable energy
MitigationThe indicator describes the share of energy from renewable sources such as bioenergy (biomass potential), geothermal energy, hydropower and solar energy in the gross total of South Tyrol‘s final energy consumption. Renewable energy sources in South Tyrol are important for a climate-friendly energy supply that is independent of fossil and heating fuel imports.
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Background information
As with everywhere, South Tyrol‘s climate-relevant emissions from fossil energy sources must be reduced and those from renewable energy sources increased in order to achieve the internationally agreed climate targets: this applies to the electricity, heat and mobility sectors. The largest renewable energy source in South Tyrol is the production of electricity from hydropower. South Tyrol is a leader in this field thanks to its well-developed infrastructure from the last century. In the heating sector, wood plays an important role as a renewable raw material. In the mobility sector, renewable energy is used for the electric railway and cable cars. Electric and hydrogen buses play an increasingly important role in public transport.
Description of the graph and the results
The share of renewable energy in South Tyrol‘s gross final energy consumption (electricity and heat) was 69.2% in 2020. This is more than three times the Italian average of 20.4%. The share of renewable energy in total gross final energy consumption in South Tyrol has increased by 9% since 2012 (1).
Hydropower is particularly important in South Tyrol. South Tyrol also produces electricity in excess of regional demand. This is exported to neighboring regions. Over the last twenty years, despite fluctuations, gross electricity production in South Tyrol has increased by a total of 31.3% (2). Other renewable energy sources for electricity are thermoelectric energy, which increased from 24.9 GWh in 2000 to 555.8 GWh in 2020, and photovoltaic energy, which increased from 0.02 GWh in 2006 to 272.4 GWh in 2020 (1). For heat production, bioenergy is available in the form of solid biomass (wood), biodegradable waste, sustainable liquid biofuels and biogas (1). In South Tyrol, solar energy is used for heat production through solar thermal collectors, heat pumps and district heating systems. In addition, individual households obtain heat from geothermal energy. Although the share of renewable heat has been steadily increasing, it is currently below 50%. In order to achieve the agreed emission targets, action is needed to increase the use of renewable energy for heat production. In the transport sector, renewable energy includes the combustion of biofuels and the renewable share of electricity which are currently used in road transport, cable cars and rail transport. In this sector, the share of renewable energy in South Tyrol is currently only slightly higher than in the rest of Italy, at 10.5% (as of 2019)(1), so a transformation is needed.
Method
The National Statistics Institute (ASTAT) provides data on the global indicators of the UN‘s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) on its own reporting platform. These are 17 policy goals that aim to ensure sustainable development at the economic, social and environmental levels worldwide. Access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy is one of these sustainability goals (no. 7). The share of renewable energy in gross final energy consumption is the reference indicator for monitoring progress towards the renewable energy targets of the Europe 2020 Strategy. The calculation is based on data collected under Regulation (EC) No 1099/2008 on energy statistics. The share of energy from renewable sources (total RES share) is calculated taking into account total consumption in the electricity, heat and mobility sectors.
Sectors affected
Water management
Settlement
Traffic and infrastructure
Tourism
Agriculture
Forestry
Industry
Related indicators
Further research at Eurac Research
References
2) Astat Info April 2022: Elektrische Energie Südtirol - 2000-2020
Contact
Eurac Reserach: Wolfram Sparber, Institute for Renewable Energy
Data provided by: Autonomous Province of South Tyrol: ASTAT SDG Tracker Südtirol