In spite of an obligation to take the necessary measures to transpose
Community legislation on renewable electricity into national law before
October 2003, the European Commission this week had to launch legal
proceedings against eight countries that failed to meet this deadline. The
increase in the use of renewable energy figures as a top priority in the
Commission's recently published Green Paper on a European Strategy for
Sustainable, Competitive and Secure Energy.
"Europe should make full use of the potential offered by renewable energy
sources. This aim will only be realized through a long-term commitment to
develop and install renewable energy and through the active involvement of
all Member States to promote the use of green energies," said Commissioner
in charge of energy, Andris Piebalgs.
Amongst the Member States still not in compliance with Community
legislation promoting renewable electricity in Europe, four (Italy,
Poland, Czech Republic and United Kingdom) have failed to report their
progress on the use of electricity from renewable energy sources to the
Commission, while five (Italy, Latvia, Cyprus, Greece and Ireland) have
taken insufficient measures to enable an adequate promotion of renewable
energies. The legislation on renewable electricity requires Member States
to implement legislation, administrative provisions and measures -- fair
grid access and a guarantee of origin -- to enhance the use of renewable
electricity.
The Commission has thus initiated the first stage of the infringement
procedure with a letter of formal notice. The Member States concerned can
subsequently submit their observations to the Commission within two
months. The Commission may then decide to start the second stage of the
procedure by sending them a reasoned opinion on the basis of these
observations, while the last would mean taking the countries to the
European Court of Justice.
The aim of the Directive is to promote the use of electricity from
renewable energy sources. The Directive sets a target of 21% for the share
of electricity from renewable energy sources in total European electricity
consumption by 2010 -- the current share stands at 14%. Member States are
required to set national targets and to put in place the appropriate
measures to achieve the European target.
The European Wind Energy Association (EWEA) came out in strong support of
the Commission's actions, saying that several Member States do not respect
their commitments in terms of promoting renewable electricity and opening
their energy markets.
"Effective competition in the conventional power market is a precondition
for creating a level playing-field and, eventually, an undistorted and
well-functioning market for renewable electricity," said Christian Kjaer,
CEO of EWEA. "By its legal actions today, the European Commission has
demonstrated its commitment to removing discriminatory practices and
structural problems that are sources of constant frustrations for the
European wind energy industry."
This lack of progress among member states extends to the EU Biofuels
Directive. The European Commission also this week sent a "reasoned
opinion" to Finland and a letter of formal notice to Denmark as the two
countries have still not given adequate reasons for having set targets
considerably lower than the 2% reference value laid down by the biofuels
directive for 2005. A letter of formal notice has also been sent to
Luxemburg due to an incomplete biofuel report for 2005, and a reasoned
opinion to Italy due to its failure to submit it.
"Biofuels are the only known substitute for fossil fuels in transport
today," said Commissioner Piebalgs. "They contribute to our security of
energy supply, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and create jobs in rural
areas. Most Member States are going to great lengths to increase the use
of biofuels and I regret that a small number of them have yet to join in
on this effort."
The European Commission simultaneously decided to close its cases against
Greece, Ireland and Poland. These Member States originally set low targets
for 2005 without giving adequate reasons but have now adopted more
ambitious targets for later years since. Replies to letters of formal
notice on the same subject from Hungary and the United Kingdom are
currently being examined, while a reply is still expected from Italy.
Biofuels' share of the petrol and diesel market in the EU was only 0.6% in
2003 and still less than 1% in 2004. The biofuels directive sets the
reference values of a 2% share in 2005 and a 5.75% share in 2010. Member
States may set their own indicative targets -- however if these differ
from the reference value, they must explain why. The Commission will
report on progress towards the 2005 reference value and targets later this
year.
