Brussels, 23/05/2013 (Agence Europe) - The European Parliament (EP) supports a more integrated system at EU level for promoting renewables and a binding target for 2030.
In a resolution adopted by 465 votes to 177 against, with 46 abstentions, on Tuesday 21 May, on the basis of a report by Herbert Reul (EPP, Germany), Parliament argued for an integrated EU-wide support mechanism for the development of renewables, for which the Commission would be expected to assess its potential. According to the EP, such a mechanism would respond to problems, such as the generation of unnecessary costs and the lack of efficiency in cross-border electricity trading resulting from the different national renewable support systems (these number170), as well as the different potentials, different stages of technology patterns and maturity of the different schemes.
Parliament suggests that targets and milestones should be set for the post-2020 period up to 2050 and, given the Commission's assumption that renewables will have a share of more than 30% of the EU's energy mix, MEPs suggest that the EU should try to achieve an even higher share. A small majority of MEPs adopted an amendment (339 votes in favour, 336 against, with 19 abstentions) calling on the Commission to propose a binding target for 2030. An amendment by the Greens calling for a “binding target of 40-45% for 2030” was rejected, with 284 votes for, 365 against and 35 abstentions. MEPs also highlighted the need for a stable and secure political framework for guaranteeing long-term investment, improved energy networks and infrastructure at national levels, as well as better connections between member states. The Commission is called on to take action to remove barriers to trading renewable energies and help EU companies access third country markets. (EH/transl.fl)