The European Renewable Energies Federation (EREF) commented on the agreement reached by EU co-legislators on the revision of the Renewable Energy Directive on Tuesday 11 April. A political agreement was reached on 30 March on a target of a 42.5% share of renewable energy in the EU’s overall energy consumption by 2030 (see EUROPE 13153/1). This is below the 45% proposed by the European Commission under the REPowerEU plan, which EREF is critical of.
“Unfortunately, the EU Member States remained divided on the Union’s renewable energy ambition and settled for 42.5%. Many governments have stuck to the original (pre-war) 40% target as presented in 2021”, the Federation said in a statement.
Although a voluntary contribution of 2.5% (‘indicative top up’) is left to Member States, EREF considers it unlikely that this will help achieve the 45% target. The Federation also regrets that this general objective is non-binding at national level and that Member States have yet to define it in their National Energy and Climate Plans (NECP).
“Much depends on national decision-makers and their commitment to put in place measures to overcome the enormous challenges facing Europe”, says EREF.
On the other hand, the Federation believes that 45% would have sent a stronger signal to investors competing in global markets and value chains, including for commodities.
Nevertheless, EREF recognises some positive points in the directive, such as the acceleration and simplification of permitting procedures for renewable energy development, as well as more ambitious sectoral targets for transport and industry.
To see the EREF press release: https://aeur.eu/f/6ba (Original version in French by Pauline Denys)