The Renewable Energy Association is calling on EU leaders to adopt renewable energy targets to help boost energy security.
The trade association’s call comes the day before 2030 energy and climate change framework is debated at a meeting of the European Council in Brussels. In light of the situations in Iraq and Eastern Europe, energy security is becoming an increasingly important topic of debate.
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Dr Nina Skorupska, chief executive of the REA explained why renewables could hold the key to EU energy independence, she said: “Renewables and energy efficiency are the best no-regrets options for both reducing exposure to international energy market shocks and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
“They should be at the heart of the EU strategies to address both energy security and climate change. The most cost-effective way to do this that gives investors most certainty is with nationally binding 2030 targets.”
The Solar Trade Association’s chief executive Paul Barwell added: “Solar power is leading the renewables race towards competing with fossil fuels without subsidy. We know we can achieve this well before 2030, as long as policies are clear and stable. Financial support should be designed to reduce gradually to zero in line with cost reductions, but instead we keep seeing drastic knee-jerk cuts, first for household solar and now for solar farms.
“Targets will be important even when subsidy is no longer needed, as other areas such as planning and grid access will still require supportive government policies to fully realise the potential for solar power to deliver secure and cheap green energy to UK homes, businesses and community groups.”
Skorupska explained that the EU is over-reliant on the EU emissions trading scheme and that the scheme is not an appropriate driver for low-carbon energy, particularly because it doesn’t drive decarbonsiation in heating and transport. Skorupska concluded: “National renewables targets give investors confidence that Governments will put stable, supportive policies in place. This reduces risk and the cost of capital and drives investment, jobs and cost reductions.”
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