On Tuesday 13 November in Strasbourg, the European Parliament approved the compromise texts between institutions on energy efficiency and renewable energies.
Renewable energies will have to represent 32% of energy consumption by 2030 and an overall target of 32.5% energy savings by 2030, with an upward revision clause by 2023.
Parliament confirmed the compromises reached with the Council last June on energy efficiency (434 votes in favour, 104 against and 37 abstentions), renewable energies (495 votes in favour, 68 against and 61 abstentions) and the governance of the energy union (475 votes in favour, 100 against and 33 abstentions). These three issues are part of the 'Clean Energy for All Europeans’ package.
By adopting the report by José Blanco López (S&D, Spain) on the use of energy from renewable sources, the Parliament confirms the binding target of a 32% share of renewable energy in the EU's primary energy mix by 2030, with an upward revision clause by 2023 (see EUROPE 12041). For the transport sector, a minimum share of at least 14 % of fuel from renewable sources in the fuels used is foreseen. First-generation biofuels from food crops should be capped at 2020 levels (with an additional 1% allowed) and should not exceed 7% of final consumption in road and rail transport. Biofuels from food crops such as palm oil will be phased out by 2030.
The draft regulation on governance at EU level for energy/climate policies provides for the long-term planning and coordination necessary to ensure that the European Union is in line with the objectives of the Paris International Climate Agreement (see EUROPE 12045). This governance mechanism aims to ensure that the EU's energy and climate objectives, in particular by 2030 (40% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, a minimum share of 32% renewables in the EU energy mix, a target of 32.5% energy savings) and the objective of cross-border interconnection of 15% of electricity capacity in each country, will be achieved through a collaborative process within the EU countries, between them and with the European Commission. Each Member State will have to submit an integrated national energy/climate plan by 31 December 2019, then another by 1 January 2029 and every ten years thereafter. The first plan should cover the period 2021-2030.
The report by the Czech Miroslav Poche (S&D) concerns the draft revised directive on energy efficiency. The new regulatory framework will be based on an overall target of 32.5% energy savings by 2030, with an upward revision clause only by 2023 (see EUROPE 12045).
Once the Council has formally approved the agreement, the new rules will be published in the Official Journal and will enter into force 20 days after publication. The Governance Regulation will be directly applied in all Member States and they will have to transpose the new elements of the other two Directives into their national legislation no later than 18 months after their entry into force. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)