Described as a "landmark vote", the European Parliament’s Committee for Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE) has approved new measures to mainstream renewable energy in the heating and cooling (RES-H&C) up to 2030 in the revision of the Renewable Energy Directive (RED II). In a joint statement, AEBIOM, EGEC and Solar Heat Europe welcome the adoption and ambition of the measures and call on the European Council to uphold it.
Representing the renewable heating & cooling (RES-H&C) industries in Europe, the European Biomass Association (AEBIOM), European Geothermal Energy Council (EGEC) and Solar Heat Europe welcome the adoption of a new, key measure to promote further deployment of RES-H&C up to 2030 (Art. 23), in the report on the revision of the Renewable Energy Directive, voted by the ITRE Committee today.
While greatly appreciative of the ambition of rapporteur MEP Blanco Lopez’s report in the level of annual increase of RES-H&C, the signatories express regret that such ambition is not matched with binding obligations on Member States (MS). This, they say, would have ensured the best framework to unlock the RES-H&C potential in Europe, creating a strong market for RES-H&C technologies and ensuring EU’s global leadership in the sector.
However, the signatories duly note that provisions for reporting progress on the article’s objective might partly compensate for the lack of a binding target, giving the industry enough information and perspective for investments, and setting accountability for the Member States.
According to the trio, the report contains other important tools to promote the decarbonisation of heating, such as measures towards the greening of district heating (Art. 24), or the reinforcement of measures for the deployment of RES in new buildings (Art. 15), complementing the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive measures voted on October 11.
All in all, they consider today’s vote as a step in the right direction saying that these measures are “highly welcomed, and show the European Parliament’s commitment to reaching its long-term climate and energy objectives”.
Decarbonising EU’s heating sector is seen as a major challenge for the Member States, as well as an opportunity for generating local jobs, fostering growth, establishing energy independence and creating healthier environments. They call upon the European Commission and the Member States in the Council to join the Parliament in its commitment to tackle Europe’s climate and energy challenge.
