EU trying to solve renewable-energy ‘headache’

The European Commission is currently working on a methodology to calculate precisely how much each member state will take up of the 20% overall renewable “burden”, EU officials said on 16 March 2007.

A proposal for a comprehensive directive on renewable energies is due in the third quarter with the toughest part of negotiations set to focus on defining a precise figure for each member state. “This will be a difficult one,” said one senior EU official speaking on condition of anonymity. “The headache is the figure.”
One senior EU official admitted that the 20% renewable energy target would be challenging to meet, considering that Europe as a whole was only at 6.4% currently. Moreover, he pointed out that the figure was largely made of hydropower, an energy source that has limited additional potential due to geographical constraints.

And with a higher share for renewables, some fear that energy prices will shoot up. “We are supportive of a general increase in the use of renewable energy”, said Ernest-Antoine Seilliere, president of BusinessEurope, the EU employers’ organisation. “But meeting this binding target must not threaten an energy supply at competitive prices. Implementation must leave all other energy options open, in particular the use of nuclear energy.”

EurActiv