Brussels, 11/03/2010 (Agence Europe) - As announced mid-February, the European Wind Energy Association (EWEA) said following analysis of national forecasts for renewable energies forwarded to the European Commission before 31 December 2009 that the European Union is on track to meet its target of 20% renewables in its primary energy mix by 2020. In its summary report published on 11 March, the Commission confirms that the total share of renewable energies in the EU should even reach 20.3% in 2020. Among the 27 member states, 12 foresee that they will reach their national target by 2020. These are Austria (target fixed at 34% in 2020), Cyprus (13%), Finland (38%), France (23%), Hungary (13%), Ireland (16%), Latvia (40%), the Netherlands (14%), the Czech Republic (13%), Romania (24%), the United Kingdom (15%) and Slovenia (25%). Nine member states foresee going beyond the target. These are Germany (share evaluated at 18.7% in 2020 for a target fixed at 18%), Bulgaria (18.7% for 16%), Spain (22.7% for 20%), Estonia (25.1% for 25%), Greece (20% for 18%), Lithuania (23.3% for 23%), Poland (15.5% for 15%), Portugal (surplus not defined for a target fixed at 31%), Slovakia (15.2% for 14%) and Sweden (50.2% for 49%). On the other hand, five member states only expect they will not achieve their national target by 2020 through domestic production alone. These are Belgium (share of renewables estimated at 12.3% against a target set at 13%), Denmark (28% compared to 30%), Italy (16% compared to 17%), Luxembourg (share assessed at 5-10% for a target fixed at 11%) and Malta (9.2% compared to 10%) Under the renewables directive 2009/28/EC, member states that forecast they will not reach their objective through domestic resources alone must call on energy transfers from other member states or third countries. According to the Commission, this transfer mechanism will only play a minor role - only 2 million tonnes of oil equivalent out of the forecast energy total produced from renewable sources (i.e. less than 1% in relative value) will be exchanged. “These forecasts show that member states take renewable energy very seriously and are really dedicated to push their domestic production. It is an important milestone in the achievement of the goals set in the EUROPE 2020 Strategy. … It is also a very positive message for our economy and our companies. It is an incentive to invest in green technology and the production of renewable energy. Our task will be to help all member states not only to rea ch the 20% target but to go beyond”, Energy Commissioner Günther Oettinger states in a press release. (E.H./transl.jl)