EU Policy on Research & Development of Renewable Energy
7th Framework Programme for Research and Technological Development (FP7)
FP7 is the EU's main instrument for funding research and runs from 2007 to 2013. More than 50% of FP7's budget for non-nuclear energy research will go to renewable energy and energy efficiency. However, a comparison with the funds available for nuclear energy R&D reveals that on an annual basis, renewable energy and energy efficiency will receive just 31 % of the sum available for nuclear energy research. The budget for renewable energy projects should be increased dramatically at the mid-term review of FP7.
EREC’s Position Papers on R&D issues
- Position paper on the forthcoming Strategic Energy Technology Plan (May 2007)
The Commission consulted stakeholders on the SET-Plan in the spring of 2007. EREC applauds the European Commission for setting Europe on a path towards achieving the renewable energy shares outlined in the 2050 scenario Energy [r]evolution that it published with Greenpeace (2007: 7% - 2020: 20% - 2050: 48%) and expects the technology focus of the SET Plan to be consistent with this trajectory. - EREC's position on FP7’s budget (Jan. 2005)
EREC published its position during the political dicussions surrounding FP7, its budget and proposed areas for research. EREC’s main message: the Seventh Research Framework programme should contain a distinct budget for renewable energy sources and energy end-use efficiency with 250 Million EUR available per year for these research areas. - EREC’s position on Research funds dedicated to renewable energy sources from FP5 to FP6 (March 2005)
The Commission has revealed that funding for research projects in renewable energy and energy efficiency dropped from an average of 275 million EUR over two years in FP5 (1999- 2002) to 215-260 million EUR in the first two years of FP6 (2003-2006). - EREC's Call for increase in R&D funding for renewables (March 2005)
For all the policy work in the field of R&D, EREC liaised with its member the European Renewable Energy Centres Agency which strengthens and rationalises the European research, demonstration and development efforts in all renewable energy technologies. As an independent member-based association, it incorporates 48 prominent research groups from all over Europe.
