Credit: Creos Luxembourg
The Ministry of Energy and Spatial Planning has announced that solar energy levels have reached an historic peak in Luxembourg.
The production of photovoltaic power plants in Luxembourg reached a maximum of 12.6 GWh in March and 20.2 GWh in April 2020, which represents an increase of 60% compared to the same period in 2018 and 42% compared to 2019.
The reasons for this increase have been described has twofold. On the one hand, the weather situation was exceptional. In fact, Meteolux recorded a total of 306.3 hours of sunshine in April, which is far above the average of 181.6 hours for the years 1981-2010. On the other hand, the considerable increase in the installed power of photovoltaic panels has played an accelerating role. Thanks to the success of the subsidy programme, set up last year, the photovoltaic surface in Luxembourg has increased considerably compared to previous years and solar production has broken all records.
Furthermore, electricity demand in Luxembourg decreased by 28.1% during the confinement period (mid-March and April). In the tertiary sector, and in particular the banking sector, demand for electricity fell by 27.7%. Despite an increase in teleworking, there was almost no impact on household electricity demand during this period, with demand remaining at the same level as in the first months of 2020.
Energy Minister Claude Turmes commented: "These figures show that teleworking can not only have the potential to better reconcile family and work, improve air quality, prevent congestion and revitalise village life, but it can also have a positive influence on our demand for electricity. This is very good news for our climate policy. We need a well-defined strategy and rules in order to continue the development of teleworking and to offer employees the best possible conditions and security for the future".
The climate plan, which will soon be adopted by the government cabinet, will act as an investment vehicle facilitating a green recovery and accelerating the transition to climate neutrality and to healthy ecosystems. It will include the path already set for the expansion of renewable energies in Luxembourg.
“Renewable energies are booming energies, participatory and beneficial for the environment and our economy. It is obvious that they must play a central role in the government's recovery programme. By accelerating the energy transition, we can also strengthen our resilience and our independence vis-à-vis fossil fuel imports", concluded Minister Turmes.
