Brussels, 11/09/2008 (Agence Europe) - Claude Turmes (Greens, Luxembourg) made an emotional presentation of his report on the draft directive for the promotion of renewable sources of energy, adopted by the European Parliament energy committee's by a very large majority (50-2), which he described as an “historic victory” for the Union. Finding it difficult to hold back his tears of joy, Turmes pointed out that he had already been at the forefront of the struggle for expanding renewables 20 years ago, when he set up one of the first solar panels on the roof in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg where he was born. After months of bitter negotiations, the Luxembourg MEP managed to rally all the main political groups to his compromise, which puts him in a comfortable position to negotiate with the Council in the perspective of a 1st reading of the text before Christmas. Turmes particularly welcomed the “majority of EPP-ED members from the German delegation, which had previously opposed renewables”. His entourage also welcomed the fact than the energy committee had successfully remodelled a directive that had been badly worked out by the Commission in the beginning.
The committee's positive vote confirms its support for a binding target of 20% renewables in the EU energy cluster by 2020, with specific binding targets for each member state. All member states will have to reach a minimum binding sub-target of 10% in renewable fuels in the total fuel consumption in the transport sector by 2020. Member states are fee to develop the sector that corresponds best to their national situation and potential, including the production of electricity from renewables, heating & cooling from renewables or transport. Member states will have to present detailed action plans outlining their strategy to the European Commission. In support of Mr Turmes, the energy committee also introduced improvements to the draft text to guarantee its legal security on the time scale of national support systems that exist. Improvements were introduced to the flexibility mechanisms that will enable member states reach their targets on renewables through statistical transfers or operating joint solar or wind power projects. Member states that experience difficulties in reaching their national objectives will therefore have the chance to count on investments into renewables from other member states. These investments will then be calculated as part of the investor member state's investments.
However, if it approves the binding target of at least 10% renewables in transport by 2020, the energy committee was keen, together with Turmes, to limit 1st generation biofuel development, which has been subject to much criticism because they come from food crops. It subsequently supports the decoupling of the 10% target by 2020 into two sub targets, one of at least 4% for 2nd generation electric, hydrogen or biofuel vehicles (produced from waste, ligno-cellulosic algae and therefore not from the food chain), the other 6% from 1st generation biofuels. To reach the 10% target, the committee calls for the intermediate target to be reached first of 5% of fuels from renewables by 2015. 80% of this target has to be reached by resorting to 1st generation fuels, 20% from 2nd generation, electricity and hydrogen from renewable sources. The committee voted for a revision clause, which is expected to come in 2014, in light of an assessment report of renewables in transport, climate performance of biofuels (economy of CO2 emissions compared to fossil fuels), technological development, food safety and biodiversity, as well as commercial viability and sustainability, which the EU27 has been examining in an effort to reduce CO2 emissions by at last 45% compared to petrol and diesel, a figure that will increase to 60% in 2015 (as opposed to 35% and 50% proposed by the Council). Finally, in order to reduce demand for fuel, the energy committee is asking member states to strive to improve energy efficiency in transport by 20% by 2020, on the basis of 2005 consumption levels.
Other substantial improvements were added to the Commission's initial text, such as the introduction of intermediate targets for the overall 20% renewables goal, a penalty system to ensure that the growing need for renewables is respected, the guarantee for access to green and biogas electricity networks, to ensure a maximum proportion of green energy and the member states' obligation of investing in renewables in the construction sector (both new and old). (E.H./trans/rh)