Electrification: the most efficient solution for decarbonising the European economy

Within the framework of the European Green Deal, the European Union aims to achieve climate neutrality by 2050. To do so, it has increased its goals for 2030, committing to reduce emissions by at least 55% from 1990 levels.

To reduce current levels of greenhouse gas emissions, we must focus on renewable energies and increase the number of vehicles, products and processes that can be changed to electric. Today, energy from renewables is the most efficient and cost-effective solution to reach these targets. 

What are the benefits of electrification?

• Cleaner energy. Energy produced by renewable energy sources will enable us to achieve a clean energy system.
• Economic savings. Electric installations and appliances are more energy efficiency than other types.
• Smart homes. Digitalisation of household appliances promotes customer empowerment.
• Improved air quality. Moving from fossil fuels to electricity can improve air quality by reducing pollution from emissions.
• Energy independence. Electrification based on renewables is synonymous with energy independence.

Electrification by sector: transport, construction and industry

Electricity produced by renewable energy is the best way to decarbonise energy use in the sectors that cause the majority of greenhouse gases. These are mainly in transport, construction and industry.

Transport: If we wish to reach zero net emissions by 2050, 60% of vehicles sold worldwide will need to be electric by 2030. This is why at Endesa X, we work to facilitate access to charging points for all electric vehicle drivers. Our target is to reach 66,000 recharging points by the end of 2025 (public and private), five times more than at the end of 2022. 

The construction sector accounts for 40% of total energy consumption, 75% of which is produced with fossil fuels, mainly for heating. For this reason we are working to offer our customers digital solutions for their installations and energy consumption. From Endesa X we offer smart devices to efficiently manage heating, installation of solar panels and charging points for electric vehicles.

Companies in the industrial sector that transform raw materials into consumer products, must also focus on reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Direct electrification of industrial processes will need to reach 37% by 2030 and 46% by 2050 to meet European targets. This can be achieved by changing the fuel used in industrial processes such as iron and steel through the use of electric arc furnaces. In sectors that are difficult to electrify, indirect electrification with green hydrogen or e-fuels may be used.

The electrification of end-uses will have to rely on generation of increasingly decarbonised energy, with the share of renewable energy increasing to 60% by 2030 and 84% by 2050. For this reason we are making a great effort to develop renewable energy parks and to digitalise the network. We aim to be a 100% decarbonised company by 2040.