In a society increasingly committed to protecting the planet and combating climate change, renewable energy offers a solution to the major energy challenges we face.
Fossil fuels will eventually run out, and environmental pollution is reaching peak levels. Therefore, we must use energy that is more sustainable and less polluting. Renewable energy is the best solution: it comes from inexhaustible sources and has a significantly smaller environmental impact than fossil fuels.
Furthermore, thanks to technological advances in this sector, renewable energy is becoming increasingly efficient and affordable for all of us.
In addition to the more well-known renewable energy sources like solar, wind, and hydropower, there are other, lesser-known renewable energy sources that are contributing to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and advancing the fight against climate change. Do you know them all?
What types of renewable energy exist?
Solar energy
Solar energy is obtained from solar radiation and is one of the richest sources of renewable energy. There are two types of solar energy: photovoltaic and thermal.
The former converts sunlight into electricity using photovoltaic solar panels, while the latter uses solar collectors to heat a fluid that can be used for heating or generating electricity.
Wind energy
Harvested from the wind, it converts the kinetic energy of moving air masses into electricity using wind turbines. Depending on the location of wind farms, there are two types of wind energy: onshore and offshore.
Water energy
Hydropower, or hydroelectric energy, is obtained from the movement of water. The potential energy of water stored in reservoirs or rivers is used to generate electricity using hydraulic turbines.
Tidal and wave energy
These are types of marine energy, also known as ocean energy. Tidal energy uses the movement of tides to generate electricity, while wave energy uses the movement of waves.
Geothermal energy
It is obtained by harnessing the Earth's internal heat. The planet's thermal energy is used to generate electricity, heating, and cooling. The main limitation of this energy source is that currently only a small fraction of the planet's geothermal resources are accessible and economically viable using existing technologies.
Biomass
It includes the use of organic matter such as agricultural and forestry waste, manure, agro-industrial waste, crops, as well as organic waste generated by humans to produce heat or electricity or biofuels, depending on the processes and materials used.
Green hydrogen as an energy carrier
Although hydrogen itself is neither a primary energy source nor renewable, it can act as an energy carrier, or "storage" of energy. Only when hydrogen is produced by electrolysis of water using electricity from renewable sources is its production emission-free and considered renewable energy, better known as "green hydrogen."
But where does the energy we use come from and how is it produced?
Despite the availability of various renewable energy sources, most of the energy consumed in Europe still comes from fossil fuels, specifically oil and its derivatives.
According to Eurostat data for 2023 published in the article "Shedding light on energy in Europe – 2025 edition," the European Union produced 421 TP3 tons of the energy it consumed, with the remaining 581 TP3 tons imported from other countries – a figure that inevitably raises concerns about Europe's high energy dependence. In 2023, the main supplier of oil and its derivatives was the United States, of gas – Norway, and of solid fuels – Australia.
The combination of different energy sources used to meet the energy needs of a geographical area, such as a country or region, is called the energy mix. In this case, the EU's energy mix consists mainly of five energy sources: oil (37.71 TP3T), natural gas (20.41 TP3T), renewable energy (19.51 TP3T), nuclear energy (11.81 TP3T), and solid fuels (10.61 TP3T).
It should be emphasized that the energy mixes of individual countries differ significantly. Iceland (83.31 TP3T), Norway (56.31 TP3T), and Sweden (50.21 TP3T) are the countries with the largest share of renewable energy, while Cyprus (86.31 TP3T), Malta (85.61 TP3T), and Luxembourg (61.11 TP3T) are the countries where crude oil and its derivatives have the largest share in the energy mix.
In recent years, the share of renewable energy has increased significantly thanks to the EU's emission reduction targets. In 2023, 461 TP3 T of energy produced in the EU came from renewable sources. In Spain, this percentage rose to 56.81 TP3 T in 2024, representing an increase in the share of renewable energy of 10.31 TP3 T compared to the previous year, according to data published by Red Electrica.
Audax and renewable energy
Audax Renovables demonstrates its commitment to the energy transition and the fight against climate change by designing, building, and operating its own renewable energy facilities, specifically wind farms and solar power plants. Since 2020, the company has invested nearly €200 million in energy projects with two goals: strengthening its role as an independent producer of renewable energy and contributing to emissions reductions in the energy sector.
We currently have a portfolio of renewable energy projects in various European markets, at various stages of development and operation, with a total installed capacity of 955 MW.
The future of energy is in the hands of each of us
Audax promotes the use of renewable electricity over fossil fuel-based energy among its customers, suppliers, and stakeholders, believing it is the most sustainable alternative to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. In addition to offering customers the option of renewable energy, the company also provides energy efficiency consulting and solutions to reduce energy consumption and bills.
At Audax, we firmly believe that the future of energy depends not only on big decisions, but also on small, everyday actions. Every time you choose renewable energy, you're choosing a cleaner, less polluted planet. Energy transition isn't optional—it's a shared responsibility to care for our planet. At Audax, we want to guide you on this journey.
Will you join the change?
When choosing an electricity supplier, select the 100% renewable energy option.
