Solar has saved Europe over 30 billion euros in gas since the start of the war in Iran

In the six months since the start of the war in Iran, solar has allowed Europe to avoid over 30 billion euros in gas imports.

This is estimated by SolarPower Europe, which significantly updates the data released in mid-July, when the savings accumulated since the beginning of the conflict were estimated at 20 billion euros: in about a month and a half the economic benefit attributed to photovoltaic production has therefore increased by over 10 billion.

The acceleration came during the summer, thanks to the greater availability of solar production and, at the same time, the increase in fossil fuel prices. A contribution that became even more relevant during the heat waves and droughts that hit Europe.

The high temperatures have in fact reduced the efficiency of some thermoelectric power plants, in some cases causing them to stop. The decline in reservoir levels has limited hydroelectric production, while the lower availability of water for cooling has also penalized nuclear power.

At the same time, extreme heat has increased demand for electricity for air conditioning, contributing to spikes in energy prices and increasing costs faced by families and businesses.

“Since the start of the latest fossil fuel crisis in the Middle East, solar has been producing enormous economic benefits for Europe,” says Walburga Hemetsberger, CEO of SolarPower Europe. "The war in Iran has exacerbated the turbulence in energy markets already generated by Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Dependence on oil and gas flows is clearly a risky energy strategy. Pipelines and shipping routes have repeatedly proven to be vulnerable to disruption."