An overview of drivers and barriers to concentrated solar power in the European Union

The aim of this article is to identify the most relevant drivers and barriers for the deployment of concentrated solar power (CSP) in the EU in a 2030 horizon, based on a thorough literature review and interviews with key stakeholders in the sector. The results of our interviews show that the higher “value” of CSP compared to other renewable energy sources (RES) is regarded as the most relevant driver, followed by the policy drivers (innovation and deployment support) and the significant cost reductions expected for the technology. The most relevant barrier is the high cost of the technology in comparison with conventional power plants and other renewable energy technologies, closely followed by uncertain and retroactive policies.