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Offshore renewables could unlock over USD 1 trillion in economic benefits for Africa
Africa possesses immense untapped ocean-based renewable energy potential, particularly in offshore wind, which could provide over USD 1 trillion in economic benefits and millions of jobs. While current deployment is minimal, tapping just 5% of the continent's 6,750 GW offshore wind potential could more than double its current power generation capacity and meet all new electricity demand through 2040. Realising this potential requires significant investment in infrastructure and policy frameworks, as Africa currently receives less than 2% of global renewable energy investment.
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Document type: Briefing
Unlocking the geothermal energy potential of Romania
The document argues that Romania possesses significant untapped geothermal potential, particularly in the Western Plain, but is hindered by outdated data and regulatory barriers. While Romania ranked sixth in the EU for gross geothermal heat production in 2024, it has no geothermal electricity projects. The report suggests leveraging the existing oil and gas workforce and infrastructure to reduce costs and recommends establishing a one-stop-shop permitting mechanism and targeted financial risk-sharing for exploration.
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Document type: Fact sheet
Options for Land-Use and Bioenergy Projects Under a GIS in Romania
The report examines how Romania can use a Green Investment Scheme (GIS) to invest proceeds from the sale of approximately 100 million surplus Assigned Amount Units (AAUs) into climate-related projects. It specifically evaluates land-use activities, such as the reforestation of 'cut-not-regenerated' forests and fast-growing woody crops, and bioenergy projects, including the rehabilitation of district heating systems. The analysis compares GIS with Joint Implementation (JI), arguing that GIS is better suited for land-use projects due to lower transaction costs, more flexible monitoring, and the ability to address high upfront investments and delayed returns.
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Document type: Research paper
BIOFUELS SUSTAINABILITY CRITERIA
The report evaluates the proposed EU Directive's 10% biofuels target for 2020, arguing that sustainability depends on precise GHG accounting and the use of productive feedstocks. It highlights that tropical regions, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa and Latin America, have a significant comparative advantage in biofuel productivity over temperate regions. The authors caution against rigid land-use definitions that could disadvantage Least Developed Countries and emphasize the need to account for indirect land use change (iLUC) to avoid 'carbon debt'. The document recommends harmonizing EU methodology with IPCC guidelines and exploring the use of degraded lands for bioenergy to minimize food-security conflicts.
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Document type: Report
Wind Power in New England
The document identifies wind power as the most cost-effective near-term option for increasing renewable electricity in New England, noting that the region's onshore wind resources have the technical potential to supply approximately 60 percent of its current electricity use. It frames this within the broader need to transform the energy system to limit global warming, noting that the Northeast United States emits more CO2 than all but six countries globally. While other solutions like energy efficiency and carbon capture are discussed, wind is presented as more viable than solar, bioenergy, or geothermal power in the region due to cost and resource availability. The document states that if all currently proposed wind projects in New England were completed, they would generate over 5,700 gigawatt-hours of CO2-free electricity annually, representing about seven percent of the electricity used in the proposing states.
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Document type: Fact sheet
Plugging In Renewable Energy
The report evaluates U.S. state commitments to renewable energy, finding that while technical potential is vast, most states lack binding policies. It grades states based on renewable electricity standards (RES) and funds, noting that a small number of states, led by California and Nevada, drive most projected gains, while 34 states received failing grades. The authors argue for a national renewable electricity standard to ensure equitable and cost-effective growth.
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Document type: Report
Climate 2030
The report identifies energy efficiency as the most cost-effective strategy for cutting U.S. carbon emissions, focusing on the industrial and building sectors which together account for two-thirds of U.S. carbon emissions. It details technical opportunities such as combined-heat-and-power (CHP) systems, building envelope improvements, and high-efficiency appliances. The document proposes a 'Blueprint' of policies—including efficiency standards, resource standards (EERS), and updated building codes—that could reduce total U.S. energy consumption by 29 percent by 2030. It highlights that while technical potential is high, barriers such as 'split incentives' and high up-front costs persist, requiring coordinated federal and state intervention.
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Document type: Report