The post-2020 renewable energy directive must act as a spine for the renewable energy target and hold Member States to account, Europe’s renewable energy industry said in a joint statement.
In October 2014, 28 EU Heads of State agreed that a binding target for renewables should be set at EU level to meet their collective climate and energy ambition.
Since then, the European Parliament has consistently backed a binding renewable energy target for 2030, most recently in June 2016.
Mere reporting by the Member States, while an important part of the governance of the Energy Union, will not ensure delivery of the target, Europe’s RE industry stated.
The industry has stated that the upcoming renewable energy package must include:
“Such a delivery mechanism is critical if investors are to rely on EU renewables policy. In the absence of national renewable energy commitments and supportive policies, the EU will risk permanently losing its place as a global investment hub for renewables. Leading European players are already prioritising third markets rather than investing in the EU,” the joint statement reads.
The industry has cited Bloomberg New Energy Finance, according to which in 2015 Europe recorded its weakest year since 2006 with an 18% drop in renewable energy investments year on year.
“Global leadership in renewables should not be another empty promise. Europe has the technology, the ingenuity and the know-how: policymakers must now do their part, ” RE industry said.
The signatories of the joint statement are: