What Earth Observation Can Do for Renewable Energy
Earth observation (EO) delivers data and services that strengthen every stage of the energy value chain — from resource assessment and site selection to infrastructure monitoring and risk management. Satellite data can evaluate solar irradiance and wind potential, identify optimal locations for renewable installations, forecast energy production, and flag physical risks such as floods or wildfires. By providing consistent, large-scale geospatial information, EO enables more informed decisions and supports the development of energy systems that are efficient, resilient and sustainable.
ESA's Role in the Energy Sector
ESA supports the clean energy transition through a broad portfolio of programmes that develop and deploy space-based applications for the energy sector. Through initiatives such as the Business Applications and Space Solutions programme, ESA brings together industry, research organisations and public authorities to translate satellite data and technologies into operational services. These activities draw on the combined power of Earth observation, satellite navigation and connectivity to support energy infrastructure planning, monitoring and optimisation — while helping to build the commercial ecosystem needed to accelerate Europe's energy resilience.
How the Stakeholder Engagement Facility Supports Energy Users
The ESA Stakeholder Engagement Facility (SEF) bridges the gap between Earth observation capabilities and the practical needs of energy sector organisations. SEF curates catalogues of EO-powered solutions tailored to energy applications and provides tools such as the Geospatial Explorer to demonstrate how satellite data can address real-world challenges. Through in-depth user engagement, the SEF team analyses sector-specific requirements and identifies where EO can deliver the greatest value. Targeted training and capacity-building activities then help organisations understand, access and integrate EO data into their workflows and decision-making processes.
