Europe Wavers on Binding Renewable Energy Targets

---

Written by Martin Lynch, European News Editor for Industrial Info (Galway, Ireland) - The European Commission (E.C.) may bow to pressure later this month by not setting a legally binding renewable energy target for 2030.

Just weeks before the Commission is due to launch its 2030 climate and energy package it has emerged that a weaker-than-expected set of proposals will be proposed. This will include a renewable energy target, possibly below 30%, for member states that is not legally binding for the first time, allowing European Union (E.U.) member states more control over how they reach their targets. If implemented, the move will please power companies and infuriate environmentalists and member states that have been pushing for higher renewable energy targets at least 30% and higher.

The existing 2020 targets - known commonly as 20-20-20 - are legally binding and require member states to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 20% from 1990 levels and generate 20% of their power from renewable energy. They also called for a 20% increase in efficiency, which is expected to fall a long way short. The new 2030 target is expected to call for a binding emissions reduction target of 40% down from 1990 levels. There is not expected to be any binding increase in efficiency targets for 2030.

Last week, ministers from eight countries wrote a joint letter to the Commission calling "robust" targets for renewable energy in the 2030 climate and energy package. The countries supporting a higher clean energy target include E.U. heavyweights Germany and France, along with Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Ireland, Italy and Portugal.

"We must offer a robust, long-term framework supporting renewable energy sources, regardless of various views on the operational modalities," the letter stated. "A target for renewable energy will strengthen European competitiveness and lead to more jobs and growth."

The U.K., which is kicking off its new nuclear build program, is against binding renewable energy targets. Poland, which relies almost entirely on coal-fired generation, and the Czech Republic also oppose binding targets. Germany, on the other hand, which is in the process of shutting down all of its existing nuclear reactors supports binding targets.

U.K. Energy and Climate Change Secretary Edward Davey said that member countries should have flexibility in how they achieve their emissions targets.

"We need a technology neutral approach to how individual countries meet their emissions targets," he said. "We will therefore oppose a renewable energy target at an E.U. level as inflexible and unnecessary."

The government stance is the opposite of the country's renewable energy body, RenewableUK.

"The E.U. needs to show leadership here and set a 2030 renewable energy target as a matter of priority," commented Maf Smith, deputy chief executive of RenewableUK. "It would send a crucial political signal on the continuing direction of travel away from fossil fuels to clean energy sources across Europe. If the EU were to fail to step up to the mark on this, it would be more difficult for renewable energy developers to attract much needed investment in their projects, as it would push up the cost of raising capital."

Industrial Info Resources (IIR), with global headquarters in Sugar Land, Texas, three offices in North America and nine international offices, is the leading provider of global market intelligence specializing in the industrial process, heavy manufacturing and energy markets. Industrial Info's quality-assurance philosophy, the Living Forward Reporting Principle™, provides up-to-the-minute intelligence on what's happening now, while constantly keeping track of future opportunities. To contact an office in your area, visit the Industrial Info "Contact Us" page.