Renewable Energy Policy in the EU - towards new legislation
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. EREC's reponse can be read in the Press Release issued the same day.
Small Member States or Member States with a lower GDP feel the need for more flexibility to achieve the 2020 targets. EREC fully appreciates these demands provided that existing national support schemes are maintained, further developed and not directly or indirectly undermined. Provisions need to ensure that flexibility mechanisms do not endanger meeting the overall 20% target. Therefore EREC supports the potential introduction of a flexible mechanism allowing exchange or cross-border fulfilment and trading of renewables credits (for target realisation), provided it is granted under the following boundary conditions:
1. The mechanism must be operated on a Member State level only and not on a company level
2. National binding intermediate targets must be put in place
3. The use of such a mechanism should be allowed only after the exporting country has met its national intermediate target and is on course to meet its next target.
4. Only production exceeding the interim target may be transferred
- 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.
