On Thursday, the EU reached a provisional agreement to raise renewable energy targets, informs the EU Council in a press release.

The provisional agreement is the latest step towards reaching the bloc’s climate ambitions – and ridding itself on its reliance on Russian energy.

According to the provisional political agreement, EU member nations need to source 42.5% of their energy consumption from renewables like wind and solar power. The deal comes with an indicative 2.5 top-up that would allow to reach 45%.

The current EU target for 2030 is a renewable energy share of 32%.

If the bloc manages to achieve its goal, it will come close to a doubling over a decade. In 2021, EU sourced 22% procent of its energy from renewables, but levels varied substantially between member nations.

Sweden leads the way among the 27 EU members with a renewable energy share of 63%. Denmark is also among the frontrunners due to its vast offshore wind energy, and the country holds a big potential for adding wind capacity to its energy mix.

In turn, renewable energy sources in Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands and Ireland only make up less than 13% of overall, respective energy consumptions.

The provisional agreement sets an indicative target of at least a 49% renewable energy share in buildings, heating, and cooling to ensure raising energy efficiency.

A major sticking point throughout negotiations has been the question of whether to label nuclear power as a renewable energy source. France has been most avid advocate to that end.