LOCATION/TYPE

NEWS HOME

[ exact phrase in "" • results by date ]

[ Google-powered • results by relevance ]



Archive
RSS

Add NWW headlines to your site (click here)

Get weekly updates

WHAT TO DO
when your community is targeted

RSS

RSS feeds and more

Keep Wind Watch online and independent!

Donate via Paypal

Donate via Stripe

Selected Documents

All Documents

Research Links

Alerts

Press Releases

FAQs

Campaign Material

Photos & Graphics

Videos

Allied Groups

Wind Watch is a registered educational charity, founded in 2005.

News Watch Home

EU renewable energy targets to be significantly scaled back 

Credit:  Suzanne Lynch | The Irish Times | Jan 17, 2014 | www.irishtimes.com ~~

The European Commission is to significantly scale back its mandatory renewable energy targets from 2020, which could undermine a key aspect of the Government’s rationale for the construction of pylons and its move towards wind energy as part of the strengthening of the national grid.

The commission will next week publish a long-awaited energy and climate change proposal for EU greenhouse emissions and renewable energy targets post-2020.

Leaked copies of the proposal suggest that it will refrain from imposing binding targets on renewable energy on individual member states. Defined targets of a 40 per cent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions are likely to be proposed, allowing countries the option to implement these reductions as they choose, including through renewable sources.

While current EU rules require that 20 per cent of EU energy consumption come from renewable sources by 2020, the new targets for 2030 remove the obligatory target.

Key arguments

While the final text may yet change before next Wednesday’s scheduled announcement, the absence of obligatory targets on how much energy countries should derive from renewable sources strikes a blow to one of the Government’s key arguments in favour of increasing renewable energy – the obligation to adhere to EU renewable targets.

Speaking to The Irish Times, Minister for Communications, Energy and National Resources Pat Rabbitte said any weakening of EU commitment “would not lead to a shift in domestic policy with respect to renewable electricity generation.”

“Irish renewable energy policy imposes no significant cost on consumers as we have abundant wind resources that generate power at an economic rate,” he said.

“When one puts the reduction in spending on imports of gas, oil and coal into the balance, our renewable energy policy is a no-brainer,” he added.

It has emerged that Ireland was one of eight countries, including Germany and France, that wrote to the EU Commissioners for Climate Change and Energy last month calling for the inclusion of renewable targets in the 2030 framework.

Environmental groups have strongly criticised the commission’s draft proposals, which will now be sent to the European Council and Parliament for consideration.

Greenpeace said: “Unless it is binding, the 2030 renewables target would remain an aspiration without any legal obligation on EU countries to develop renewables,” the Brussels-based NGO said this week.However, for many member states the issue of renewable energy targets has become embroiled with the problem of rising energy prices.

The high cost of energy for consumers in the EU – particularly in comparison with the US – has focused attention on the renewable industry, which is heavily subsidised in most countries. With subsidies pushing up the price of energy for consumers, some member states are concerned about the impact of this on European competitiveness.

Source:  Suzanne Lynch | The Irish Times | Jan 17, 2014 | www.irishtimes.com

This article is the work of the source indicated. Any opinions expressed in it are not necessarily those of National Wind Watch.

The copyright of this article resides with the author or publisher indicated. As part of its noncommercial educational effort to present the environmental, social, scientific, and economic issues of large-scale wind power development to a global audience seeking such information, National Wind Watch endeavors to observe “fair use” as provided for in section 107 of U.S. Copyright Law and similar “fair dealing” provisions of the copyright laws of other nations. Send requests to excerpt, general inquiries, and comments via e-mail.

Wind Watch relies entirely
on User Funding
   Donate via Paypal
(via Paypal)
Donate via Stripe
(via Stripe)

Share:

e-mail X FB LI TG TG Share


News Watch Home

Get the Facts
CONTACT DONATE PRIVACY ABOUT SEARCH
© National Wind Watch, Inc.
Use of copyrighted material adheres to Fair Use.
"Wind Watch" is a registered trademark.

 Follow:

Wind Watch on X Wind Watch on Facebook

Wind Watch on Linked In Wind Watch on Mastodon