While the European Commission’s plan to move the EU away from dependence on Russian fossil fuels (‘REPowerEU’) calls for an increase in the EU’s target for the share of renewable energy in energy consumption to 45% by 2030, the Czech Presidency has proposed that Member States retain the 40% target agreed last June, according to a document dated 10 October.
The document consists of a new draft compromise from the Presidency on the Commission’s proposal to amend parts of the Renewable Energy (RED II - 2018/2001), Energy Performance of Buildings (EPBD - 2010/31) and Energy Efficiency (2012/27) Directives, in the framework of ‘REPowerEU’.
The text removes the reference to the 45% target and refers to a footnote pointing out that this provision is replaced by the political agreement (‘general approach’) reached between Member States on 27 June (see EUROPE 12980/2). This agreement sets the target for the share of renewable energy by 2030 at 40%, 8 percentage points higher than the current target (32%), but 5 percentage points lower than the proposal introduced in ‘REPowerEU’ (45%).
Several Member States, such as Luxembourg, Germany and Denmark, had argued in favour of aligning the Council’s position with that of the Commission.
The 45% target is, however, maintained in the recitals of the Czech draft compromise.
Permit granting for renewable energy projects
It should be noted that Prague also suggests that Member States should have the possibility to exclude hydroelectric power plants from ‘renewables go-to areas’. Proposed by the Commission, these areas aim to boost the installation of renewable energy capacity by benefiting from accelerated permit-granting procedures (see EUROPE 12955/4).
The draft compromise also provides for a review of the deadlines for these procedures in order to give Member States more flexibility.
See the draft compromise: https://aeur.eu/f/3mg (Original version in French by Damien Genicot)