Members of the European Parliament’s Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE) adopted by a very large majority (54 votes in favour, 14 against and 6 abstentions) the draft report by Markus Pieper (EPP, German) on the revision of the Renewable Energy Directive (2018/2001) (REDII), on Wednesday 13 July, thus supporting an increase in the European Union’s ambition in this area.
While current legislation sets the EU’s binding target for the share of renewables in the energy mix at 32% by 2030, MEPs want to aim for a 45% share.
This target is in line with the level of ambition proposed by the European Commission in its ‘REPowerEU’ plan to move the EU away from dependence on Russian fossil fuels (see EUROPE 12955/4). This represents a 5 percentage point increase on the target originally presented in July 2021 (see EUROPE 12762/8).
However, the amended draft report introduces a novelty by proposing to set an indicative target for each Member State that at least 5% of new installed renewable energy capacity between the entry into force of the directive and 2030 should be innovative technologies.
On the sectoral sub-targets (industry, buildings, transport, heating and cooling), MEPs approved compromise amendments negotiated between the EPP, S&D, Renew Europe and Greens/EFA groups (see EUROPE 12984/6).
In addition, the approved text foresees doubling the number of joint projects between several other Member States for the expansion of renewable electricity. By the end of 2025, Member States would be required to establish at least two joint projects. This target would increase to three joint projects by 2030 for Member States with an annual electricity consumption of more than 100 TWh.
MEPs also want to increase the transparency of the components of renewable electricity and promote the ramp-up of renewable hydrogen, notably by simplifying the system for guarantees of origin.
Division on the definition of criteria for renewable hydrogen
Although MEPs approved the various compromise amendments one by one with comfortable majorities, they rejected number 17 in favour of an alternative compromise amendment by one vote.
These amendments relate to the principle of additionality to ensure that the fuel producer contributes to the deployment or financing of renewables so that an increase in the production of renewable fuels of non-biological origin (RFNBOs), i.e. mainly hydrogen, is matched by a corresponding increase in renewable energy production.
While Mr Pieper wanted to set out the additionality criteria in Article 27 of the revised directive, the alternative compromise amendment adopted (tabled by the S&D, Renew Europe, Greens/EFA and The Left groups) refers to the Commission’s delegated act on this subject (see EUROPE 12959/22).
MEPs will vote on the amended draft report between 12 and 15 September, during the Parliament’s plenary session in Strasbourg.
See the results of the vote: https://aeur.eu/f/2mh (Original version in French by Damien Genicot)