European authorities have agreed a new deal to accelerate the implementation of the European Energy Union, which seeks to strengthen the EU’s climate change policy.
The deal was reached between the European Commission, the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union, and means that two out of eight legislative proposals aimed at delivering the European Energy Union have now been agreed. The Renewable Energy Directive, part of the Clean Energy for All Europeans package, will now have to be formally approved by the parliament and council following this political agreement.
The new deal is expected to deliver a significant boost to the EU’s efforts to meet its ambitious climate targets, and will help to drive the transition away from fossil fuels and towards renewable energy sources through binding targets and restructuring of regulatory frameworks and support schemes.
What are the details of the Renewable Energy Directive deal?
The biggest achievement in the new agreement is a binding target for 32% of the EU’s energy consumption to consist of renewables by 2030, which will offer Europe the opportunity to become a world leader in sustainable energy. In addition, the agreement improves the design and stability of support schemes which will be vital to the implementation of the European Energy Union.
The document also highlights the specific potential for additional innovation in the transport, heating and cooling, and bioenergy sectors, which could become more sustainable and ambitious thanks to additional efforts proposed by the deal.
How will the agreement aid the EU’s renewables ambitions?
The new deal aims to unlock the significant potential of Europe’s renewables sector, something which the European Commissioner for Energy, Miguel Arias Cañete, has expressed his optimism about. He also welcomed the binding target for renewables established under the deal and the impact this might have.
Cañete said: “Renewables are good for Europe, and today, Europe is good at renewables. This deal is a hard-won victory in our efforts to unlock the true potential of Europe’s clean energy transition. This new ambition will help us meet our Paris Agreement goals and will translate into more jobs, lower energy bills for consumers and less energy imports. I am particularly pleased with the new European target of 32%. The binding nature of the target will also provide additional certainty to the investors.”
