​A group of 11 member states signed a document initiated by Austria in which the European Commission calls for even greater focus on renewable energy, including an increase in the EU’s target for increasing the share of green energy. 42.5%, up to 45% in 2030, writes the Financial Times. The group calls itself “Friends of Renewable Energy” and through a letter sent to the Commission, they are asking for more opportunities for green energy projects.

Document initiated by Austria it was also signed by Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands and Portugal.

How the EU should get rid of dependence

To be more convincing, 11 “friends of renewable energy” say that Russia’s war against Ukraine exposes the vulnerability of Europe due to its dependence on non-renewable energy and imports of vital raw materials.

At the same time, the 11-nation group says the EU must ensure it does not replace its dependence on Russian gas with other dependencies. Although the joint letter does not directly mention China, it is a dominant force in the production of materials necessary for the production of renewable energy, Euractiv.com notes.

Thus, in order to avoid future dependencies, the EU needs “a combination of specific policies aimed at strengthening the EU’s leadership positions in key renewable energy production technologies.” In addition, a “joint strategy for the development of value-added chains” should be proposed for critical raw materials, batteries, battery reuse/disposal and renewable hydrogen,” 11 also say.

Friends of Renewable Energy want to triple new installed capacity by 2030

11 European countries say they support the Commission’s global target of tripling new renewable energy capacity to 11 TW (11 million MW) by 2030. The goal is not only to combat the climate crisis, but also to spark a wave of economic opportunity, says the document, signed on April 11.

According to him, more than 90% of new energy capacities installed around the world should be based on renewable energy sources. Together with a global goal on energy efficiency, this can promote international cooperation and innovation, increase investment in renewable energy technologies, create jobs and strengthen energy security.

Friends of RES want new laws

The document was published before Brussels authorities published new proposals to boost wind power, and after the approval of a new EU law on renewable energy. 11 countries say more is needed, from cutting red tape to stepping up measures to launch renewable energy projects.

11 countries talk about “renewable energy sources without borders”, which will be possible if there is better communication between the member states.

Eleven countries are also calling for the rapid implementation of new laws, such as the renewable energy law, Euractiv.com reports. The European Commission is already preparing a package of measures that will be presented on Tuesday.

Countries also want authorities in Brussels to look further, including assessing the impact on the EU’s 2040 climate target. It should also set a target for the energy sector so that investment can be planned.

According to 11 countries, it is necessary to reduce the red tape that blocks investment in renewable energy.

Requests from “friends of renewable sources” come only two weeks after the adoption of the directive on green energy / What the directive provides

On 9 October 2023, the European Council adopted a new Renewable Energy Directive aimed at increasing the share of green energy in total EU energy consumption to 42.5% by 2030, with an additional indicative increase of 2.5% to allow reaching 45% objectively. Each member state will contribute to the achievement of this common goal.

In the field of transport, Member States will be able to choose between:

• a mandatory target for a 14.5% reduction in the intensity of greenhouse gas emissions in the transport sector as a result of the use of energy from renewable sources by 2030
• and a mandatory share of at least 29% of energy from renewable sources in the final energy consumption in the transport sector by 2030

The new rules set a mandatory combined secondary target of 5.5% for modern biofuels (typically derived from non-food raw materials) and renewable fuels of non-biological origin (mainly hydrogen from renewable sources and hydrogen-based synthetic fuels) in the share of renewable energy sources supplied to the transport sector.

As part of this target, there is a minimum requirement of 1% renewable fuels of non-biological origin in the share of renewable energy supplied to the transport sector in 2030.

The directive stipulates that the industry will have to increase the consumption of energy from renewable sources by 1.6% annually. Member States have agreed that by 2030, 42% of hydrogen used in industry should come from renewable non-biological fuel sources, and by 2035 this percentage should rise to 60%.

Member States will have the opportunity to reduce the contribution of fuels from non-biological renewable sources in industrial use by 20% under two conditions:

• the national contribution of the member states to the common EU binding target will be equal to the expected contribution
• the share of hydrogen from fossil fuels consumed in the Member State should not exceed 23% in 2030 and 20% in 2035

The new rules set an indicative target of at least 49% of renewable energy in buildings by 2030.

The renewable energy targets for heating and cooling will require a mandatory increase of 0.8% per year nationally until 2026 and 1.1% between 2026 and 2030.

The directive has been officially adopted. It will be published in the Official Journal of the EU and will enter into force at the end of October. Member states will have 18 months from the entry into force of the directive to transpose it into national law.

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