Brussels, 11 October 2023 – Today, on the occasion of an important event at the European Parliament, members of Solar Heat Europe shed light on the readiness of solar thermal to decarbonise industry processes, particularly for low and medium temperatures. Organised jointly with EGEC (geothermal) and showcasing key flagship projects, clear calls for an acceleration of the deployment of new projects, including active financial support to achieve the RED targets will be raised towards industry, policy makers, and the financial community.

Industry is a major user of energy (equally compared to buildings or transport) with heat accounting for 75% of its total energy needs. With low to medium temperatures (up to 400°C) corresponding to half of such heat needs, a very broad number of industry sectors are potential candidates for the use of “direct” renewable heat supplies such as solar thermal and geothermal, notably in the chemical, food and beverage, textile sectors.

With the Renewable Energy Directive adopted on 9 October 2023, binding targets are set for the deployment of renewable heating and cooling, as well as an indicative target for the decarbonisation of the industry sector, consisting of an annual average increase of 1.6% percentage points on the share of renewable sources in the amount of energy sources used for final energy and non-energy purposes. Adding to this the concerns about energy security and voluntary commitments of leading EU companies to decarbonise, it is clear that the European industry needs reliable and competitive options to decarbonise their heat demand.

MEP Beatrice Covassi, hosting the event and one of the co-chairs of the Sustainable, Long-term Investments & Competitive European Industry Intergroup highlights: “Solar thermal and geothermal are among the most promising options for the direct supply of renewable heat overall, and for industrial applications in particular. It is key that policy makers at EU and national level provide the right framework to make energy transition happen, in a win-win way for all actors involved”.

To date, in the world, more than 1000 solar thermal plants are supplying industries representing 856 MW_th of heat generation capacity. In Europe, Solar Heat Europe’s members have been delivering already solar heat solutions for many sectors such as brewing (Peroni, Carlsberg, Boortmalt), the pulp and paper sector (Condat/Lecta), and the food & beverage (Martini Rossi, Lactalis), to name a few.

“To achieve the 1.5°C scenario, we must scale up solar thermal projects between 10 to 20 times. Key assets of solar thermal are price stability and resilience, enabling tangible independence from fossil fuel imports and greater energy security. The technology is readily available, with European manufacturers prepared for deployment”, states Hugues Defréville, CEO of New Heat and Board member of Solar Heat Europe.

Guglielmo Cioni, President of Solar Heat Europe concludes: “Increasing awareness on solar thermal as a ready-to-deploy technology is crucial. We need instruments to accelerate the deployment of renewable energy projects in the industrial sector. These shall combine funding and other support mechanisms. EU guidance is also essential for developing Heat and Cold Purchase Agreements, making renewable heating and cooling a more accessible option for industry.”

Links for more information:

– Solar Heat Europe market data (LINK herewith)

– Solar Heat for Industrial Processes, incl. case studies, Solar Heat Europe (LINK herewith)

– Global interactive map of Solar Heat for Industrial Processes plants (LINK herewith)

About Solar Heat Europe/ESTIF

Solar Heat Europe/ESTIF’s mission is to promote solar heat as a key technology for the decarbonisation of heating and cooling in Europe and to realise the high potential of solar heat in the energy transition. With members in more than 15 European countries, Solar Heat Europe members cover different parts of the value chain, being based in countries as diverse as Finland or Cyprus. Last year, Solar Heat Europe published Energising Europe with Solar Heat – A Solar Thermal Roadmap for Europe, comprising key information and data about the potential of the technology to accelerate the energy transition and boost the European economy.

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