EREF Press Release
EP vote on governance, renewable energy and energy efficiency – a step in the right direction
Brussels, 18 January 2018
EREF generally welcomes the result of yesterday’s vote of the European Parliament on renewable energy, governance framework and energy efficiency.
“The position of the European Parliament of a 2030 EU renewable energy target of 35% is much stronger than the proposals of the European Council and European Commission. It is a right step for the EU to honour its commitments of the Paris Agreement and to retain a leading role in the energy transition worldwide. Yet, it reflects a compromise in way of the bare minimum”, comments Savvas Seimanidis, EREF President.
“Though we welcome the positions of the European Parliament for a 2030 EU target for renewables ad energy efficiency of 35%, we regret that the Parliament did not support binding national targets which have clearly proven to provide the best form of investment security and encouragement for the renewable energy industry. This must be compensated for by a strong governance system as we still do not have a solid pathway for the European renewable industry to strongly invest in the EU 28 until 2030”, highlights Dr. Dörte Fouquet, EREF Director.
With its adopted positions, the European Parliament will play the strongest voice for renewables in the upcoming trilogue meetings on the EU Energy Union.
Under the new developments, the European Council needs to abandon its position on a 27% renewable energy target for 2030. Some Member States like Denmark and Portugal call already for higher targets; more need to follow.
“Governments of EU Member States should recognise that renewables are the future. They are cheaper than conventional power generation and provide domestic jobs and economic wealth, especially for small and medium-sized companies and citizens. EREF and its members, national renewable energy associations from EU Member States, call on Governments to follow at least the approach endorsed by the European Parliament. Some courage to go beyond would show a strong Europe”, said Senior Policy Advisor Dirk Hendricks.
For more information on this matter, please contact
Dr. Dörte Fouquet Dirk Hendricks
EREF Director EREF Senior Policy Advisor
doerte.fouquet@eref-europe.org dirk.hendricks@eref-europe.org