The European Parliament will vote on Europe’s Renewable Energy Directive and Governance Regulation up to 2030 on Wednesday, Jan. 17, WindEurope announced on Tuesday.
According to WindEurope's announcement, EU energy ministers opted to endorse the Commission’s original proposal of just 27 percent renewables in the energy mix by 2030 at December’s Energy Council as opposed to the European Parliament's proposal of 35 percent
'These two pieces of legislation will determine Europe’s ambition on renewable energy post-2020 and the trajectory on how to get there,' the statement read.
Giles Dickson, WindEurope CEO, said the competitiveness of Europe’s wind industry really depends on the outcome of this vote.
'Last year the wind energy sector contributed €36 billion to EU GDP. It supported 263,000 jobs and generated €8 billion of exports outside of Europe. But this success is not guaranteed,' he added.
The wind industry is at risk from growing international competition and declining policy ambition on renewables in Europe. Job growth in the industry has stalled in the last five years as many countries have become less ambitious on renewables.
He stated that a strong domestic market for new investments in wind energy is vital to sustain the economic benefits the sector brings and ensure Europe keeps its strong manufacturing base.
'It’s vital that the Parliament endorses the 35 percent target. The costs of sticking with the Commission’s original proposal of 27 percent are €92 billion of missed investments and 132,000 jobs not created,' he asserted.
According to European Parliament's web page on Wednesday, the share of energy consumed from renewable sources has almost doubled in the last years, from about 8.5 percent in 2004 to 16.7 percent in 2015.
The EU is on track to reach its 20 percent target for 2020.
In 2014, EU countries agreed this should increase to 27 percent by 2030, but members of European Parliament say it should be at least 35 percent.
'They also want to boost people's right to produce, store and consume their own electricity from renewable sources without having to pay any charges or taxes,' according to the European Parliament's web page.
By Gulsen Cagatay
Anadolu Agency
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