The aim of this study, to be done on behalf the European Commission, DG ENER, is to provide significant and practical contributions towards facilitation of the integration of renewable energy sources (RES) in the CESEC region. The consortium established to successfully address this study consists of Ecorys, Consentec, TU Wien, Fraunhofer ISI, REKK and SQ Consult. Crucially, such a contribution is to be made by taking a location-based, cross-border approach for the identification of the renewable potential of prime locations and cross-border projects adhering to these. To this end, a thorough analysis will be conducted on existing studies and data in the region and prestigious previous works of the consortium, including a cross-verification with relevant national data and sources. This results in a consolidated mapping, identifying the most prosperous regions to exploit renewable energy sources and current barriers to be overcome. This then will be complemented by a thorough analysis of infrastructural prerequisites to facilitate renewables integration in the electricity sector. The identification of challenges and barriers is the third pillar of this study. Finally, a number of targeted measures and policy recommendations will be developed for future actions to overcome identified barriers. A sound consolidation process will be established, engaging relevant stakeholders and experts within the region and at EU level throughout the project, ensuring applicability and conformity of the approach taken as well as of the outcomes of the study. This enables the region to contribute to the EU’s climate and energy targets for 2030 and to progress towards a net-zero economy by 2050.

TU Wien will bring in its sound expertise on renewable energy technologies in general, and the availability of corresponding resources and their related cost within the CESEC region. Work proposed includes data gathering and processing as well as modelling of future RES deployment paths.