Renewable Energy Policy in the EU
EREC launched in 2004 the idea of a binding target of 20% EU energy to come from renewable energy sources by 2020. This idea was taken over by the European Commission in January 2007 in its Renewable Energy Roadmap. European Heads of State and of Governments gave their green light to this binding target two months later at the March 2007 Summit.
On 23 January 2008 the Commission released the Renewable Energy Framework Directive. In December 2008, an agreement was reached on the Renewable Energy Directive between the European Parliament, the French Presidency on behalf of the Council and the European Commission.
The European Renewable Energy Council very much welcomes the outcome of these long-standing negotiations. “This European Directive will be the most important piece of legislation on renewable energy in the world” says EREC President Arthouros Zervos.
This piece of legislation will cover the whole renewable energy sector and will also provide the much-needed investor confidence in the sector, thereby enabling the European Union to achieve its binding 20% renewable energy target by 2020 in the most cost-efficient way possible.
- Press Release : Agreement reached on the Directive
- May 2008: Turmes Report on the Renewable Energy Framework Directive
- May 2008: Guarantees of Origin and Flexibility for Member States
- Press Release on the Renewable Energy Framework directive- 23 January 2008
- Open letter to President Barroso- January 2008- 14 January
- EREC Position Paper on Flexibility for Member States- November 2007
- Press Release on the Strategic Energy Technology Plan- November 2007
- Press Release on Value Added Tax for Renewables- November 2007
- EREC Position Paper: Executive Summary. October 2007
- EREC Position Paper on the Renewable Energy Framework Directive. October 2007
The Commission is expected to release a Renewable Energy Framework Directive before the end of 2007. EREC outlines the key measures necessary to make the 20% renewable energy by 2020 target a reality. - Press Release following the adoption of a binding target by EU Heads of State - March 2007
EU leaders agreed at the March 2007 European Council – following the Commission’s proposal - to have a binding target of 20% of EU energy to come from renewable energy sources. Although EREC still believes that a sectorial approach is necessary for rapid development of renewable energies we welcome this strong signal from the decision makers. - Press Release following the publication of the Renewable Energy Roadmap by the Commission
The European Commission proposes in the Renewable Energy Roadmap to define a legislative framework for renewable energy beyond 2010. It suggests setting a binding EU target of 20% energy consumption to come from renewable energy sources by 2020. (Link to the roadmap and the impact assessment). - Position on the Commission’s Green Paper for a ‘Secure, Competitive and sustainable Energy’ in Europe
The European Commission proposed a Green Paper defining a strategy at EU level to achieve a secure, competitive and sustainable energy in Europe.
