Brussels, 27/03/2013 (Agence Europe) - With 12.7% of renewable energy in its energy mix in 2010, the EU is well on track to reach its binding objective of 20% by 2020. However, the delay in transposing the 2009 Renewable Energy Directive will oblige member states to make further efforts.
The progress report on renewable sources of energy (RSE) - which was presented by the European Commission on Wednesday 25 March alongside its Green Paper on a 2030 framework for climate and energy policies (see other article) - shows that the current framework of binding objectives led to strong growth in the renewable energy sector up until 2010. A year after the adoption of the 2009 Renewable Energy Directive, the share of green energies reached 12.7% in the EU, and the majority of member states had reached their interim target set out by the directive. With regard to the EU's sustainability criteria, implementation of the scheme on biofuels was considered too slow. At present, the possible negative impacts of EU biofuels consumption do not require further specific policy intervention, the Commission states.
The EU therefore seems well on track to reach its objective of 20% by 2020. Progress has been made since 2010 but the Commission nevertheless sees cause for concern about future progress - due to the economic crisis, the transposition of the directive into national law has not been as quick as desired. As the indicative trajectory for meeting the final target grows steeper over time, most member states will have to redouble their efforts in the coming years in order to stay on track. Member states are called on to finalise their transposition of the Renewable Energy Directive as quickly as possible and to remove barriers to the development of renewable energy by reducing administrative burdens and delays, by developing the electricity grid and better integrating renewable energy into the market, and by making support schemes more stable and transparent.
The Commission plans to propose guidance on support schemes and reform this year in order to ensure cost effectiveness and to help integrate renewable energy production into the energy market. (EH/transl.fl)