THE EU’S MARCH TOWARD NEW ENERGY

Renewable energy progress report

27 March 2013 (European Commission)

“…The Renewable Energy Directive adopted in 2009…focuses on achieving a 20% share of renewable energy in the EU overall energy consumption by 2020. Every Member State has to reach individual targets for the overall share of renewable energy…[and] all Member States have to reach the same target of a 10% share of renewable energy [in transport].

“These targets can be reached by increasing the share of energy from renewable sources, including wind power (both onshore and offshore), solar power (thermal, photovoltaic and concentrated), hydro-electric power, tidal power, geothermal energy and biomass (including biofuels and bioliquids)…[Biannual progress reports] assess Member States' progress… The latest available Eurostat data suggests that the EU and most Member States are currently on track…[though] the transposition of the Directive has been slower than wished, also due to the current economic crisis in Europe…”

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“Since the indicative trajectory to meet the final target grows steeper over time, in reality more efforts by most of the Member States' are needed…[including] taking measures to reduce administrative burdens and delays…developing the electricity grid and better integrating renewable energy into the market…[and] making support schemes more stable and transparent but also cost-effective and market-oriented…

“Missing the 2020 renewable energy targets will have major consequences…[T]he current decade will be crucial to put Europe on the right track, since investments decisions made today will affect our energy sector for the next 30 years…Secondly…the EU would remain highly dependent on fossil fuels…In addition, an insufficient deployment…would not allow for adequate reductions in production costs, therefore preventing renewable energy from contributing to the EU's competitiveness. Finally, a failure to meet national binding targets could trigger infringement procedures against the relevant Member States.”

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