Promotion of the use of energy from renewable sources. Renewable Energy Directive

2008/0016(COD)

The Renewable Energy Directive 2009/28/EC established a European framework for the promotion of renewable energy, setting mandatory national renewable energy targets for achieving a 20% share of renewable energy in the final energy consumption and a 10% share of energy from renewable sources in transport by 2020.

The purpose of this Report is to assess Member States' progress in the promotion and use of renewable energy along the trajectory towards the 2020 targets and to report on the sustainability of biofuels and bioliquids consumed in the EU and the impacts of this consumption in accordance with the Directive.

The report concludes that there has been a generally solid initial start at EU level but with slower than expected removal of key barriers to renewable energy growth, with additional efforts by particular Member States being necessary. It also concludes that:

  • deviations from national plans increase the regulatory risk faced by investors and barriers that should, but have not yet been addressed through the implementation of the renewable energy Directive, remain to be overcome;
  • at EU and Member States level, further efforts are needed in terms of administrative simplification and clarity of planning and permitting procedures and for infrastructure development and operation;
  • further efforts are also needed regarding the treatment and inclusion of renewable energy production within the electricity system;
  • the general economic conditions in the EU today, together with disruptive changes to support schemes for renewable energy (again, raising regulatory risk), suggest that further measures will be needed at Member State level in order to stay on the trajectory and for the targets to be achieved. Addressing such barriers will contribute significantly to the cost-effective deployment of renewable energy and the achievement of the EU's targets;
  • technology development and cost reductions are also critical, and these will be explored in the Commission's forthcoming Communication on energy technology and innovation.