One year ago, the European Commission presented the Clean Energy for All Europeans legislative package, but its headline target of 27 percent renewable energy by 2030 fell short of its ambitions. With today’s vote, adopting a target of at least 35 percent renewables, the European Parliament Committee for Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE) puts the EU within reach of meeting its objective of being a world leader in renewables, a move widely welcomed by Europe's renewable energy associations.
In a joint statement, ten European renewable energy industry trade associations; European Association of Renewable Energy Research Centres (EUREC), European Biogas Association (EBA), European Biomass Association (AEBIOM), European Geothermal Energy Council (EGEC), European Heat Pump Association (EHPA), European Renewable Energies Federation (EREF), European Solar Thermal Electricity Association (ESTELA), European Solar Thermal Industry Federation (Solar Heat Europe – ESTIF), Ocean Energy Europe and Solar Power Europe have welcomed the adoption of the new target.
We welcome the approval of an EU binding renewable target of at least 35 percent by 2030. Through this vote, MEPs send a clear signal to the industry, that investments in renewables must follow at least the same pace than in the last decade. We now call on the Council to endorse these ambitions and make sure they will be delivered through a robust Governance framework, said James Watson, CEO of SolarPower Europe.
The European energy sector must fully decarbonise to comply with the objective of the Paris Agreement and keep average global temperature increase below 1.5°C.
In view of the Paris agreement, we need a strong national obligation besides ambitious targets of at least 35 percent, said Dr Dörte Fouquet, Director, EREF.
A 35 percent renewable energy target in 2030 is, however as some of the signatories point out, the “bare minimum” required to maintain the fast-paced growth of the renewable sector in face of increasing international competition.
A 35 percent renewable energy target by 2030 would keep Europe in the game in terms of global renewable energy technology leadership, and generate significant jobs, growth and export opportunities. The Rapporteur has done an excellent work in reaching such a strong cross-party agreement, said Rémi Gruet, CEO of Ocean Energy Europe.
A strong and vibrant domestic market will ensure Europe reaps the economic benefits of a clean and efficient energy system fit for the twenty-first century.
The 35 percent renewable energy target voted today calls for more ambition also at the decentralized level. Renewables in buildings must get a real boost in the next decade if this target is to be reached, said Pedro Dias, Secretary-General, Solar Heat Europe.
For the EU to be a world leader and remain a driving force on climate action, European and national policies must allow for a thorough penetration of renewable energy in all segments of the energy sector: electricity, heating & cooling and transport.
However, provisions adopted on heating and cooling are not quite ambitious enough to prevent the EU from locking in fossil fuels in this sector, nuanced Jean-Marc Jossart, Secretary-General, AEBIOM.
The signatories conclude that a robust and reliable governance framework, including sound planning and steady renewable deployment trajectories, is now needed to back the “at least 35 percent” target and provide renewables investors with the long-term perspective they need to plan industrial activities.
