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Keep on Track! Parliamentary Dinner Debate

 A binding Future for 2030 RES Target?

- A 2030 Package Discussion -

5 November 2013, Members Salon, European Parliament

 

On the 5th of November, EUFORES organised a parliamentary dinner debate to discuss a 3 binding targets option within the 2030 Framework, with a strong focus on a binding RES target. The evening started with several speeches from actors in different sectors - European Parliament, European Commission, association and industry representatives - which was followed by an equally diverse panel debate on the topic. 

The first speech was by Maria da Graça Carvalho, Member of the European Parliament. She presented alternative 2030 scenarios for energy efficiency and renewable energy, such as a combined renewables and energy efficiency target, a combined heat and electricity target and she encouraged thought about an innovative transport target. Thereafter, Josche Muth, EREC Secretary General, held a presentation, in which the Keep on Track! project results were demonstrating that the EU is currently on track with its 2020 RES target. However, he warned that the current EU Member State policy development towards retro-spective and retro-active changes regarding renewables is causing a loss of investor confidence. His key message was that there must be a clear signal coming from the policy makers to the investors, which will create a long-term predictability of market volumes and directions for renewables. Erna-Maria Trixl, Board Member of Stadtwerke Munchen, and who spoke on behalf of the Coalition of Progressive European Energy Companies, presented the reasons for a binding renewables target for 2030 from a business point of view. She stressed three main points:a binding renewables target helps deliver decarbonisation at lowest costs; only renewables meet all the objectives of EU energy policy; a renewable target provides a planning framework and investment certainty for investments in renewable generation. 

Following the presentations, a panel debate took place. The panel was moderated by Dafydd ab Iago, a journalist for Argus Media, and it consisted of Britta Thomsen, Member of the European Parliament, Marie Donnelly, Director Renewables, Research and Innovation in DG Energy, European Commission, Jacob Askou Boss, Vice-President of DONG Energy and representing the Coalition of Progressive European Energy Companies, Josche Muth, EREC Secretary General. The debate started of with the question whether a binding RES target for 2030 was necessary. Each panelist responded positively, though elaborated differently. Mr. Askou Boss and Ms. Thomsen both mentioned that setting a binding target was necessary to send a positive signal to companies and investors. Mr. Muth rather stressed that not only is a binding target necessary, but it must also be an ambitious target. Upon the question how ambitious the target should be, opinions varied. Speaking for the European Commission, Ms. Donnelly announced that no number had been put on the targets yet and that this would be a collective Member State decision to make. Mr. Askou Boss, speaking for DONG Energy and the Coalition, said that the RES binding target should aim for at least 30%. Ms. Thomsen stated that the current high fashion trend was to opt for no targets, but she believed a 30-35% target would be realistic. Mr. Muth strongly supported a binding RES target of 45%, believing 30% would merely be the scenario of business as usual. The subject of sub-target, as discussed in Ms. Carvalho's presentation, brought about a lot of discussion. Ms. Donnelly repeated that the package would have to be accepted by 28 Member States, though if there were to be sub-targets it would make it easier for Member States to reach a compromise. Mr. Muth pointed out the danger that the flexibility sub-targets incorporate could be misunderstood and misused.  

Participation was upon invitation only.

 

Please find the programme of the evening here.

 

Speaker presentations:

- Maria Da Graça Carvalho

- Josche Muth

 

Pictures:

 

Organised in the framework of 

 

Sponsored by

Coalition of Progressive European Energy Companies:

 

Supported by*

 * The sole responsibility for the content of this event lies with the authors. It does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the European Union. The European Commission is not responsible for any use that may be made of the information contained therein.