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Leaked EU analysis makes case for higher renewables, energy saving goals
(EurActiv, 2 Mar 2018) EXCLUSIVE / A leaked document by the European Commission’s energy directorate, seen by EURACTIV, updates existing scenarios for renewables and energy efficiency, taking into account the rapidly falling costs of solar and wind power.
The Commission “non-paper” – EU jargon to mean it’s not official – is an update of the analysis presented in November 2016 when the EU executive tabled its ‘Clean Energy for all Europeans’ package of legislation, which included a headline target for Europe to source 27% of its energy needs from renewables and cut energy consumption 30% by 2030.
It comes as EU legislators started three-way talks this week to rewrite EU directives on renewables and energy efficiency, which are two key elements of the package.
In December, EU member states backed the proposed 27% target for renewables but the European Parliament later voted in support of a higher target of 35%. Both need to agree an identical text before the new law can be enacted, signalling tense talks ahead.
Anna-Kaisa Itkonen, a Commission spokesperson, confirmed to EURACTIV that the document was indeed finalised on Thursday (1 March), and will be circulated to the European Parliament and Council.
“Our proposals are now with the co-legislators, and to help them take their final positions based on the most recent evidence available, the Commission today has finalised a technical update on the potential impact in terms of emissions reductions on the energy efficiency and renewable energy objectives,” said Itkonen, who is spokesperson for Miguel Arias Cañete, the European Commissioner for Energy and Climate Action.
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EurActiv, 2 Mar 2018: Leaked EU analysis makes case for higher renewables, energy saving goals
