Renew On Line (UK) 31

Extracts from the May-June 2001 edition of Renew
These extracts only represent about 25% of it

EU renewables directive backed

EU energy ministers have backed the European Commission’s draft directive on renewable energy. The law will now go to the European Parliament for a second reading.

As proposed by the Commission, the directive is intended to increase the share of EU energy supply generated renewably to 12% by 2010 and the renewable share of electricity to 22%. However, there was pressure to reduce the "indicative" national renewable targets proposed by the EC for some countries, even though these targets are to be non-binding. Ministers agreed to cut Portugal’s target from 45.6% renewables to 39%, Finland's from 35% to 31.3% and the Netherlands' from 12% to 9%.

According the ENDs Daily ‘several other countries wanted similar reductions, but have settled instead for alternative ways of limiting the eventual implications of the target. Austria, Sweden and Italy accepted the targets as proposed in exchange for a new clause exempting them from any obligation in the case of unusual weather conditions causing a cut in renewable energy output’.

ENDs noted that the ministerial agreement also softened the system under which the Commission is due to monitor member states’ progress towards their targets and propose tougher measures in case this is incompatible with the overall goals of the directive. Governments will have five years rather than four to begin sending annual reports to the Commission. However, the Commission will make its own assessment of the situation four years after entry into force of the directive.

Ministers also underlined their determination to prevent any short-term introduction of EU rules harmonising national support mechanisms for renewables. Although it was agreed that the Commission will be able to propose a harmonised system as it proposed, there would be a seven-year transition period before any such system could be introduced.

Meanwhile France has produced a national plan designed to improve the country's energy efficiency and increase the share of renewables - although the proposals were somewhat less radical than many, and expected, given the strong presentation France made at the COP-6 talks. In addition to the already announced tougher energy efficiency standards for new homes and service sector buildings, there will be a national publicity campaign to raise public awareness and a network of information centres where individuals and small businesses will be able to receive information on how to reduce their energy consumption.

Other measures include a guaranteed price for electricity generated by wind, set at euros 0.08 per kWh and a tax credit worth up to euros 1,500 for purchasers of "green" vehicles such as electric hybrids and those powered by liquefied petroleum gas.