Today the plenary of the European Parliament supported a call launched by the Socialists and Democrats for the Commission to come forward with a binding renewable energy target for 2030 without delay.
S&D got support from other political groups to pass an amendment calling for a binding target in an own- initiative report about the current challenges and opportunities for renewable energy in the European market that was voted on this afternoon.
The S&Ds vowed to push for a target of up to 45% renewables in the EU energy mix.
S&D spokesperson on energy, Euro MP Teresa Riera, said:
"Renewables play a strategic role in Europe. It is not just important from the environmental point of view, but also for security of supply and competitiveness.
"Our current target is 20% renewable energy by 2020 and we can still go further. That is why in the future we must set more ambitious targets: 40 or 45%.
"Research and development on renewables is a key element of our strategy. We must improve existing technologies and support new ones. If we make progress in this area we will be able to maintain the EU's industrial lead in the world and create jobs."
S&D Euro MP Bernd Lange, S&D spokesperson on industrial policy and author of the amendment to introduce a binding target, said:
"We want to send a strong message to the Commission and the Council, who will meet this evening.
"We must reduce our dependency on fossil fuels – where prices are becoming ever higher and we must provide clarity and certainty to those willing to invest in renewables.
"The current 20% target has given a real push and allowed for real investments. We have paved the way and incentivised companies to make investments, and we want to go further in this direction. Now we have to look to the future, to 2030.
"We Socialists and Democrats also want to see greater integration. We want to better co-ordinate renewable energy support systems. For that to happen we need closer integration and increased investment in our distribution grids and transmission networks.
"We need to tailor our support system to favour those partners and those technologies which are most effective, and particularly we need to encourage energy storage technologies. But we have to take a European approach, not a piecemeal one. This will help us guarantee a more stable development of prices and tariffs.
"Renewable energies and security for investments are crucial for industrial development and therefore jobs in Europe!"
