EU Commission publishes post-2020 strategy
The European Commission’s communication on renewable energy examines the current 2020 framework for the development of the sector and outlines policy options for the post-2020 phase. The communication acknowledges that long-term policy clarity is a prerequisite for ensuring the necessary level of investment, but it remains vague with regard to a post-2020 framework.
As reasons to favour legally binding renewable energy targets for 2030, the commission names that strong growth of the renewables to 2030 could generate over 3 million jobs. Furthermore it would result in a net GDP growth by 0.36 to 0.40 % by 2030 and the EU economy could save in 2050 between € 518 and 550 billion on EU expenditure for fossil fuel imports.
Therefore Stéphane Bourgeois, Head of Regulatory Affairs of the European Wind Energy Association (EWEA) in Brussels, said: "European Ministers must turn this message into action and back a renewable energy target for 2030, as supported by the Strategy's Impact Assessment.”
The European Renewable Energy Council (EREC) regrets its lack of ambition when it comes to a 2030 agenda. Renewable energy growth will slump after 2020 if a post-2020 policy framework is not developed, EREC warns. EREC and its members are calling for a binding target of 45 % renewables for 2030.
