September saw the country’s coal sector provide less than half of the country’s electricity generation for the first time in history, according to the undersecretary, and October saw renewable power, driven by solar, account for 30% of the country’s electricity generation, developments that Wojnarowski called a “breakthrough” for the country’s renewable power sector.
“The national development strategy [defines] – after consultation with ministries, organisations, entrepreneurs and society, of course – the basic conditions, objective and directions of the country’s development in social, economic and spatial dimensions over a period of ten to 15 years,” said Wojnarowski, of the government’s plans to build on this recent growth.
The undersecretary’s speech touched on a number of topics that would be discussed in greater depth later during the conference: the importance of batteries in tackling grid challenges, the need to engage private investors in the Eastern European solar sector and how risk can best be managed in a high-potential industry.
Grid capacity remains a key challenge
The rapid pace of growth in the Eastern European solar sector has created challenges for the region’s energy infrastructure, and speakers and attendees alike expressed concern about how best the region’s grids can tackle this recent uptick in solar generation.
These concerns are borne out in the figures for some of the region’s largest electricity grids. In Poland, transmission system operator (TSO) Polskie Sieci Elektroenergetyczne had curtailed 13GWh of solar generation alone as of May this year, while the Bulgarian Association for Production, Storage, and Trading of Electricity reported a 35GW pipeline of new solar and wind capacity awaiting for grid connection as of August 2023.
At a panel on grids, speakers discussed alternative technological options to alleviate grid connection issues – including the addition of more storage capacity – and greater awareness of the priorities of other actors in the sector. Robin Hirschl, CEO of financier PV-Invest, said that the current means of assessing the value and production of energy production, distribution and storage is lacking, and that “the whole market needs to be a bit more intelligent.”
“We are ready, and we are 100% convinced that we need to move away from this stupid megawatt-hours [approach] to more intelligent systems, that includes batteries, that might include electrolysers, green hydrogen [and] forecasting models [so] that we have the right energy balancing in both directions,” said Hirschl.
What government strategies are being implemented to support the transition to solar energy in Eastern Europe?
## Eastern Europe’s Solar Boom: An Interview
**Interviewer:** Welcome to the programme. Today, we’re discussing the exciting developments in Eastern Europe’s renewable energy sector, particularly the surge in solar power. Joining us is [Guest Name], an expert on the region’s energy landscape.
**Guest:** Thanks for having me. It’s an exciting time to be observing the growth of solar energy in Eastern Europe.
**Interviewer:** Indeed, recent data shows some groundbreaking progress. Can you elaborate?
**Guest:** Absolutely. In an unprecedented move, coal power dipped below 50% of electricity generation for the first time this past September. Then, just a month later, renewables, primarily driven by solar, accounted for a stunning 30% of the country’s electricity needs. [[1](https://www.akuoenergy.com/en/akuo-in-the-world/central-eastern-europe)]It’s remarkable and speaks to the dedication and investment in renewable solutions.
**Interviewer:** It’s clear that governments are actively supporting this transition. Can you share any insights into their strategies?
**Guest:** Yes, the focus is on long-term development strategies that prioritize sustainability and economic growth. Plans involve not only increasing renewable energy capacity but also addressing critical infrastructure challenges and attracting private investment.
**Interviewer:** Infrastructure seems to be a key concern. What are the biggest hurdles the region faces?
**Guest:** The rapid growth in solar power has highlighted the need for enhanced grid capacity. Integrating all this new renewable energy into the existing infrastructure presents a technical challenge that engineers and policymakers are actively tackling.
**Interviewer:** What does this mean for the future of energy in Eastern Europe?
**Guest:** This is a pivotal moment. The region is on the cusp of a significant energy transformation. While challenges remain, the commitment to renewables is strong, and the potential for sustainable and self-sufficient energy future is truly exciting.
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today and providing such valuable insights.
**Guest:** My pleasure.
