Renewable energy industry unites in call for 2030 European target25 September 2013

The European renewable energy industry has written to the European Parliament president Martin Schulz, EU energy ministers and the EU Energy and Climate Commissioners to call for a legally binding 2030 target for renewable energy as part of "a strong and ambitious regulatory framework for the years to come".

The letter, organised by EREC (the European Renewable Energy Council) and signed by the REA (Renewable Energy Association) with more than 60 others, notes the success of the existing 20-20-20 framework in setting "a clear direction" for industry.

However, it also highlights an urgent need for a 2030 framework "given the long investment cycles in the energy sector".

The letter goes on to suggest that such a framework would "reduce the current costs of uncertainty, mobilise the needed funding, help to protect the environment, decrease the costs of decarbonisation, facilitate the creation of new jobs and enhance the EU's technology leadership".

"The UK remains in the bottom three of the EU renewables league table, with only 4% renewable, while Sweden tops the table with almost 50%," comments REA chief executive Dr Nina Skorupska.

"The UK has only scratched the surface so far, in terms of the opportunities for growth, innovation, jobs and exports that renewables can bring to UK plc," she continues.

"But government has learned a lot from working within the 20-20-20 framework, and it makes sense to go for a similar framework for 2030, including a binding renewables target."

The REA is unequivocal: a new framework will reassure investors, scale up the industry, boost energy security, reduce emissions and grow the UK's budding green economy.

Brian Tinham

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