Rich EU countries to bear greater renewables ‘burden’

The minimum contribution of individual member states to EU renewable energy targets could be calculated on the basis of gross domestic product, according to recent comments by the Commission, which is preparing new legislation on renewables. 

In March 2007, EU leaders committed themselves to an EU-wide target of producing 20% of energy from renewable sources by 2020, setting the stage for heated debate about how the commitment will be divided between member states. 

Currently, 8.5% of EU energy consumption stems from renewable energies, meaning the share would need to be increased by 11.5% over the next 12 years to reach the 20% target. 

Tom Howes, a Commission official at the Directorate-General for Energy and Transport (DG TREN), said on 22 November that gross domestic product (GDP) may be used as an indicator for determining the required percentage increase for each member state. 

The system would work in two steps. First, each member state – regardless of GDP – would be required to increase renewable energy use by 5.75%. Then, as a second step, the remaining 5.75% increase would be adjusted according to GDP, with wealthier member states assigned a higher percentage than poorer ones, according to Howes. 

But despite the potential for flexibility, “all member states will have to make significant contributions to the target. No one can relax”, Howes said, according to Reuters. 

Member states with low potential for wind, solar, hydro or other non-fossil fuel energy production may also be allowed to purchase certified renewable energy credits from other member states with a higher renewables output, according to Howes. 

A mechanism for trading renewables certificates already features in existing legislation on renewables, but the Commission has said it may expand the system as part of legislative proposals expected on 23 January 2008.

The renewable energy industry argues that a trading option will act as a disincentive for investment, as those member states with low renewables potential or under-developed markets will simply purchase credits from abroad. 

But many of the EU’s new member states and small countries like Luxembourg say they cannot reach the percentage targets without a trading option, and the EU as a whole continues to suffer from under-investment in renewables and other low-carbon technologies (EURACTIV 23/11/07). 

Read more with Euractiv

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