Brussels, 07/01/2014 (Agence Europe) - With the backing of six of their fellow ministers, the German and French ministers for energy have argued for a medium-term renewable energy target extending the 20% by 2020 target.
In a letter sent to Commissioner Günther Oettinger (Energy) and Commissioner Connie Hedegaard (Climate) at the end of December and published on 6 January by environmental NGOs, the energy ministers from eight EU member states - Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy and Portugal - called for a 2030 renewable energies target, extending the one set in 2009 at 20% by the year 2020 (accompanied by a 20% reduction in CO2 emissions over the same period compared to 1990 levels), which would help to make investments in the renewable energy sector more attractive.
The eight energy ministers argue that they are currently designing an energy system for the next few decades and, building on appropriate integration of renewable energy and energy efficiency, ensuring European citizens and companies that they will have reliable, competitive and clean energy in the future. They also affirm that the binding 2020 target has been the main driving force behind the current development of renewable energy capacity in the EU that has led to both job creation and economic growth. Although the ministers acknowledge that there are different points of view regarding the operational modalities required in this field, they argue that a long-term and robust approach is required that supports the development of renewable energy sources. The letter, however, does not state whether the target should be binding or not or whether it relates to national or Community targets.
On 22 January, the Commission is due to unveil its recommendations for the energy sector for the next sixteen years. It is looking to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 40% and put in place a 30% target for renewable energies. This latter objective, however, will be non-binding and will be a Community, not a national, even though some measures could be made compulsory, including the development of electricity grids between countries, according to a number of leaks from the document before its publication. (EH/transl.fl)