As part of the revision of the EU Renewable Energy Directive, the European Parliament's Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE) has today endorsed a minimum 45% renewable energy target for the EU for 2030.
In a statement following the Committee vote, lead MEP on the file, Markus Pieper said: "Renewable energies are crucial for achieving climate neutrality by 2050 and for Europe's energy independence. Putin's war against Ukraine is forcing us to restructure our energy system even faster."
The Committee’s move follows the European Commission’s decision to similarly endorse the minimum 45% goal in May 2022, under REPowerEU proposals to accelerate the continent’s independence from Russian gas. This represents a significant increase from the European Commission’s draft target in July 2021 of 40%, and previous goals of 32%.
Cost-effective path to climate neutrality
Walburga Hemetsberger, CEO of SolarPower Europe, said; “A 45% renewables target – or higher – has never been more crucial for Europe’s energy security and climate stability. 45% is the most cost-effective pathway to climate neutrality and will protect Europeans from fossil-fuel price hikes. EU Member States must increase their target from 40% and ensure this necessary ambition is not lost in negotiations in Autumn.”
SolarPower Europe modelling with LUT University demonstrates that a 45% renewables target, or higher, represents the most cost-effective path to climate neutrality by 2050, and would ensure the EU’s 55% GHG emission reduction target is met, in line with the 1.5⁰C Paris Agreement scenario. Through the longstanding ‘Yes to 45 RES!’ campaign, SolarPower Europe has worked with 10 other European energy and city associations, and a number of IPCC scientists to call for this minimum 45% target.
With the backing of the leading European Parliament committee on the file, REDIII is expected to be endorsed by European Parliament plenary session in September, when the file will then be negotiated between the European Parliament, European Commission, and European Council, before being finalised and adopted. In June 2022, the EU Energy Council endorsed a 40% renewables target, falling short of the ambition of its co-legislators. (hcn)
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