Strategic Assessment of Solar PV Implementation, Case Study

Abstract

To fight climate change and to strengthen the strategic sovereignty of the European energy supply, the deployment of renewables must accelerate. PV electricity is now one of the key components in the electricity mix and will contribute to more electricity production in the future. Such transformation in energy system and infrastructure can be a path of opportunity by enabling economic growth, creating jobs and reducing environmental damages and human healthcare costs by lowering pollutions. However, due to intermittency and variability of renewable energy sources, there are concerns regarding flexibility management, storage, land use and resource intensity, scarce metals, energy security, transmission reliability, market reform and fair transition for different actors and communities. Moreover, energy policies should be aligned with climate objectives and strengthening local capacities. Thus, for strategic assessment of such transformative energy plans, countries have to conduct comprehensive discussion about the kind of future societies in which energy will interact and engage in analytical assessment of environmental, societal and economic impacts to align the society with upcoming transformation. This project conveys a strategic assessment of solar PV implementation plans in Gothenburg in the context of Swedish energy plans and scenarios by 2035 and illustrates the enablers and restrictions for the set targets.