The European Commission is reportedly planning to propose 38-40% as a new EU target for the share of renewables in the EU’s energy mix by 2030, according to a Commission working document on the review of the EU’s Renewable Energy Directive (2018/2001) (RED II) scheduled for 14 July (date to be confirmed).
Currently, the EU has a target of achieving at least 32% of its energy mix from renewables by 2030.
But this figure needs to be revised upwards, given the EU’s new target for reducing its greenhouse gas emissions (see EUROPE 12703/1).
To this end, the Commission is reportedly considering several initiatives in the context of the RED II revision.
Heating and cooling
According to the document, the institution could propose, among other things, to set a new binding target for the heating and cooling sector by requiring each Member State to increase the share of renewable energy in this sector by at least 1.1% per year. Currently, the Directive requires each Member State to “endeavour” to increase this share by an annual average of 1.3% calculated for the 2021-2025 and 2026-2030 periods.
The Commission would also consider making access to large district heating and cooling networks mandatory for renewables and other carbon-neutral (waste heat) sources, while ensuring that the definition of ‘efficient district heating and cooling’ excludes fossil fuels.
Biomass
Another possible measure included in the document is the strengthening of sustainability and greenhouse gas emission reduction criteria for bioenergy in Article 29, in order to protect primary forests, including old growth forests.
According to the draft text, the Commission is thus reportedly considering applying these criteria not only to biomass heat and power installations with a total rated thermal input of 20 MW or more, but also to smaller installations. The document mentions 5 or 10 MW as the reference capacity.
The institution is also reportedly examining the possibility of establishing “national caps” on the use of logs (wood from the trunk or stem of a tree) “above a certain size” for energy purposes. However, this is a “highly political” issue, the paper says, while stressing the need for more reflection.
Other possibilities mentioned include: raising the 2030 target for renewable energy in transport to 26% (from “at least 14%” at present); increasing the 2030 sub-target for advanced biofuels from 3.5% to 5.5% and introducing a specific supply obligation for aviation; introducing a 2030 sub-target of 4% for renewable liquid and gaseous fuels of non-biological origin (RFNBOs).
See the Commission’s draft document: https://bit.ly/33FWoKK (Original version in French by Damien Genicot)