The European renewable energy industry is calling upon the European Parliament to implement a legally-binding and ambitious renewable energy framework for 2030. A letter has been sent to the European Parliament President, Martin Schulz, as well as EU Energy Ministers and the EU Energy and Climate Commissioners requesting a 2030 target as part of a “strong and ambitious regulatory framework for the years to come.”
The letter was organised by the European Renewable Energy Council (EREC) and was signed by the UK Renewable Energy Association (REA) alongside more than 60 other European companies and associations. It notes the success of the 20-20-20 framework in setting a “clear direction” for the industry and the urgent need for a 2030 framework, particularly given the long investment cycles in the sector.
“Such a framework bears the opportunity to reduce the current costs of uncertainty, mobilise the needed funding, help to protect the environment, decrease the costs of decarbonisation, facilitate the creation of new jobs and enhance the EU’s technology leadership” the letter continues.
The 20-20-20 framework has been the fundamental driver of national level policies to expand the industry, particularly with regard to the 2020 renewable energy targets. The 2020 target in the UK could see an expansion of employment in the UK renewables sector from 110,000 jobs in 2012 to 400,000 in 2020 as the country attempts to reach the national target of 15 percent renewable energy and 10 percent renewable transport.
EREC also monitors member states progress towards these targets through the ‘Keep on Track!’ project while also seeking to identify and overcome barriers to expansion. The REA is the official UK partner in the project which in June published its first EU Tracking Roadmap alongside a report on barriers to expansion and a set of policy recommendations. The UK is the only country involved in the project that has missed its 2011-12 targets, albeit by a narrow margin. According to the new Chief Executive of the REA, Dr Nina Skorupska, the UK remains in the bottom three of the EU renewables league table with only 4 percent renewables and has therefore only scratched the surface in terms of the opportunities available within the sector for growth, innovation, jobs and exports.
“Government has learned a lot from working within this 20-20-20 framework” added Dr Skorupska, “and it makes sense to go for a similar framework for 2030, including a binding renewables target. This will enable Government to build on those lessons, reassure investors, scale up the industry, boost our energy security, reduce our emissions and grow our budding green economy.”
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