eclareon is pleased to announce the completion of another EU-wide project on the authorisation of renewable energy projects. The project, commissioned by DG ENER, aimed to monitor the implementation of the EC Guidelines and Recommendation on accelerating permitting procedures for renewable energy. As complex national permitting procedures often delay project development, the initiative focused on evaluating the implementation of non-binding EU legislation and identifying key barriers and measures to speed up permitting procedures.
Together with Viegand Maagøe (formerly COWI) and Prognos, eclareon spent the last 22 months analysing national administrative procedures in the EU-27 Member States and developing actionable recommendations to improve regulatory efficiency and support a faster transition to renewable energy. The assignment included three rounds of monitoring involving extensive desk research and deep-dive expert interviews, the organisation of a series of meetings of the Informal Expert Group on Accelerating Permitting, and a final stakeholder event. The initiative culminated in a comprehensive document providing guidance to stakeholders, mainly from the solar, onshore and offshore wind and battery storage industries.
eclareon is pleased to announce the completion of the Act!onHeat project, an ambitious initiative to accelerate strategic planning for heating and cooling (H&C) across Europe. With H&C accounting for almost half of Europe’s total energy demand and 75% still dependent on fossil fuels, Act!onHeat focused on identifying success factors for effective H&C plans, developing workflows using open source tools, and issuing 21 actionable recommendations for planning, implementation, financing and policy.
As part of the project, eclareon led the development of financial pre-feasibility studies, evaluated the Act!onHeat support facility and provided best practice case studies. Together with our partners, we supported 120 municipalities in advancing their H&C strategies, facilitated 30 pre-feasibility studies and helped develop financing options for 15 emerging projects. The initiative culminated in a final conference – “Make your Digital Sprint in Heating and Cooling”, held in Brussels in November 2024 – where experts, policy makers and practitioners gathered to share knowledge and network.
eclareon, in partnership with the Slovak Association of Photovoltaic Industry and RES (SAPI), has released a landmark study forecasting that Slovakia’s renewable energy sector could require as many as 77,000 skilled employees by 2030. If the country accelerates heat pump deployment beyond current projections, however, the number could rise to an estimated 121,000 full-time equivalent (FTE) positions. These figures stem from an in-depth analysis of three key technologies—solar PV, onshore wind, and heat pumps—across three developmental scenarios: business-as-usual, the Draft Update of the National Energy and Climate Plan, and a net-zero pathway targeting carbon neutrality by 2050.
Under the Draft Update NECP scenario alone, the study predicts around 50,000 FTE jobs, led by heat pumps (43%), with onshore wind and solar PV splitting the remaining 57%. The business-as-usual scenario, meanwhile, anticipates over 53,000 positions, dominated by heat pumps (82%). By contrast, the net-zero path envisions 77,000 FTE jobs, mostly from solar PV (65%) and onshore wind (35%), but this calculation does not yet include additional heat pump potential. Should heat pump deployment scale up at even the business-as-usual rate under the net-zero scenario, total employment could reach the 121,000 mark.
The study combines an employment factor model and an input-output model, integrating both secondary sources and unique primary data collected through online business surveys and expert interviews. According to eclareon’s analysis, despite 2023 having been designated the European Year of Skills, Slovakia’s education system still struggles to align with the specialized requirements of green jobs. Many companies in the renewables sector face a mismatch between the STEM skills they need and the existing labor force, pointing to a critical need for expanded technical training, interdisciplinary curricula, and hands-on industry partnerships.
To discuss these findings and explore actionable solutions, a high-level, invitation-only event was held on 29 October 2024 at the European Commission Representation in Bratislava. In attendance were national policymakers and representatives of major energy firms seeking to bridge the gap between the country’s labor supply and its rapidly evolving green energy sector. Presenting on behalf of eclareon were Vlad Surdea-Hernea (Project Manager) and Ulf Lohse (Senior Consultant), who outlined how Slovak industry and the government can collaborate to maximize the environmental and socio-economic benefits of renewables.
The full study, containing detailed methodology and scenario breakdowns, can be accessed at: Green Jobs in Slovakia (PDF).
At the eclareon policy department, we advise European institutions, governments, businesses and NGOs on the global deployment of renewable energy and climate technology solutions. eclareon’s team, which spans a wide range of EU Member States and beyond, offers a unique blend of international academic and professional experience. This diversity fosters a holistic approach to our projects.
With over 20 years of experience in the energy and environmental technology sectors, eclareon has established lasting industry relationships, underscoring our dedication to continuous growth and innovation.
We are currently looking for professionals with a passion for climate and energy policy to join our pool of experts. Your expertise will be instrumental in driving forward important research projects in these vital areas. Joining the pool does not entail any pre-set commitments. As we pursue and acquire projects, we will be in touch with you to explore whether you are the right fit for the task and discuss whether you wish to participate.
Application Guidelines:
Please send your detailed Europass CV to jb@eclareon.com. It is important that your CV includes comprehensive sections on your education and work experience. This level of detail is crucial to matching you with projects that reflect your expertise and interests.
Selected experts will be engaged in project-based work that matches their expertise, qualifications and interests, with remuneration commensurate with the scope and nature of the project.
We are excited to announce the release of an English educational film (with subtitles) showcasing 10 innovative solar technologies that promote the global energy transition. The film was produced as part of the SolarSchools project in collaboration with presented by danilo and is available on the project’s YouTube channel, “SolarSchools.”
The film explores and highlights modern solar technologies in detail, ranging from space-based solar power to flexible solar films. Individual YouTube videos for each of the 10 technologies are also available on the channel and can be found in the playlist titled “10 innovative solar technologies.”
We are excited to announce the launch of the new Solar Universities website, a further step forward in our commitment to advancing renewable energy education globally. As part of the ENABLING PV initiative, the Solar Universities project connects universities, academic institutions, and solar industry to foster cooperation and drive the energy transition.
The new website is primarily a resource for students, professors and industry professionals interested in renewable energy. It provides updated information on our educational programmes, including initiatives and courses focusing on solar energy, as well as insights into the joint university projects that we are currently supporting in Central Asia and the South Caucasus and plan to offer in other regions from 2025 onwards.
Visit the new website at https://solar-universities.org/ and help us shape the future of energy education. For example, solar industry companies are invited to contribute guest posts to the monthly online seminars for students from 17 partner universities and to present their company to the future energy transition experts.
On October 28, 2024, the first Solar School in Kyrgyzstan was officially inaugurated as part of the ENABLING PV project. The National School-Lyceum for Innovative Technologies, named after A. Moldokulov, was equipped with with a PV system and experimental kits to provide students with hands-on experience in solar technology.
A key element of the initiative was a training session for physics and German teachers, held on October 29. The session provided educators with tools and methods to integrate solar energy topics into their lessons, helping students better understand renewable energy concepts.
The opening of the Solar School is a significant step toward raising awareness of solar energy in the region and inspiring the younger generation to actively participate in the energy transition.
At the end of October, eclareon organised a study tour for 15 Indonesian decision-makers from business and administration on behalf of GIZ. The Indonesian delegation wants to expand its activities in the field of biomethane application and improve the regulatory framework for this in Indonesia. The aim of the trip was to promote knowledge transfer in this area and to establish contacts with German experts who can support the growth of the Indonesian biomethane sector.
As Indonesia is currently seeking a path to a sustainable and economically viable biomethane market, knowledge of the possible regulatory framework, the necessary certifications and the infrastructure required for this is of fundamental importance. To transfer knowledge on these topics, the week-long programme jointly developed by GIZ and eclareon offered a deep insight into the German biomethane sector. Visits to state-of-the-art bioenergy plants with gas grid injection, accompanied by expert discussions with German government representatives and market experts, highlighted innovative and at the same time viable approaches for biomethane production in Indonesia.
The most relevant findings from an Indonesian perspective about the German and European biomethane market, as well as recommendations for adapting these findings to the Indonesian context, were then compiled in a 30-page report by eclareon and the Berlin-based institute ideas into energy and sent to GIZ and the delegates to help them plan their follow-up activities.
Accelerating the deployment of renewable energy remains a high priority in the EU, but benefit sharing is essential to ensure a just transition that is broadly supported and allows the bloc to reach net zero in a politically palatable way. The political backlash from the proliferation of sustainable projects that do not benefit local people has proven to be a major obstacle to climate goals and a source of conflict between locals, project developers and states.
In light of the above, eclareon, in collaboration with Climate Action Network (CAN) Europe, has launched a study on community engagement and benefit sharing in relation to renewable energy projects in mid-October 2024. The study develops an assessment framework measured through key performance indicators to evaluate the community engagement and benefit sharing policies and actions of renewable energy project developers and grid operators. We expect to complete in early-2025. As part of the project, eclareon’s experts will conduct research in selected EU Member States (France, Germany, Italy, Poland, and Spain) and simultaneously assess selected community engagement plans across the EU. Finally, the project will produce research-based recommendations to guide policy-makers, regulators and project developers thereby enabling a just transition.
The newly started project follows previous projects delivered with CAN Europe in 2023/2024.