EU Council Backs 27% by 2030 Target

On 18 December, the European Council adopted its position on a directive of reaching at least 27% of renewable energy share in the European Union’s energy consumption by 2030.

According to the Council, the agreement paves the way for the beginning of negotiations with the European Parliament once the negotiations mandate is agreed at the beginning of 2018.

The directive, in line with the guidelines of the EU Council from October 2014, confirms this binding target and puts in place the appropriate framework and tools to achieve that goal.

The new legislation addresses bioenergy, sustainability, transport, electricity, heating and cooling, and in particular, focuses on empowering consumers, while, as the Council said, facilitating and enhancing consumers’ use of renewables is a key element.

“This decision has a direct and positive impact on all Europeans. Using more renewable energy will help our cities, industries and houses become cleaner, healthier and more sustainable,” Kadri Simson, Minister for Economic Affairs and Infrastructure of the Republic of Estonia, said.

“The directive will also make it easier for consumers to take the initiative and become producers themselves. Through a combination of action by governments, companies and consumers, we will be able to maintain our global leadership in renewables.”

In addition, member states will have the possibility of opening up their national support schemes across borders to generators of renewable energy in other member states, but the final decision on this will remain with them.

To remind, Environment Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) earlier proposed that the share of renewable energy in EU’s final consumption of energy should be at least 35% by 2030.