The EU’s Target for Renewable Energy: 20% by 2020
Source: UK House of Lords European Union Committee
From the Foreword:

In January 2008, the Commission published the 20 20 by 2020 package. This includes proposals for reducing the EU’s greenhouse gas emissions by 20% and increasing its proportion of final energy consumption from renewable sources to 20%. Both of these targets are to be achieved by 2020. In order to meet the EU renewable energy target each Member State will be given a national target to meet based on their existing renewable generation, their GDP and a flat-rate increase for all. The UK’s proposed target is 15%.

We conclude that the target level and date are underpinned both by analysis of what is feasible for the EU and by political considerations. We are concerned, however, that achieving 20% of energy from renewable sources by 2020 will be extremely challenging. We note that in a push to meet the target emerging renewable technologies may be neglected and investment may not be aimed at the most cost effective renewable generation technologies over the long term. We recommend, therefore, that the Government increase their support for research.

We also recommend that the Commission consider regularly the impact on emerging technologies of Member States’ efforts to meet the target.

The Commission’s proposals include creating a standardised Guarantee of Origin (GoO) certification scheme for renewable energy. This would allow a market in GoOcertificates to be created. Member States could then meet part of their targets by counting energy generated in another country for which they have bought the GoO certificate. The Commission believes this will create the flexibility needed for Member States to meet their targets. We recognise that some flexibility will be necessary, but are concerned that GoO trading has the potential to undermine efforts to increase renewable generation domestically. We recommend that the Government commit to achieving a significant proportion of the UK’s target domestically.

We conclude that reducing the absolute level of final energy consumption through energy efficiency and saving measures should be the starting point of the Government’s strategy for meeting the target. We believe that by spring 2009 the Government should commit to an energy consumption reduction target, such as 20% by 2020, and publish a comprehensive strategy specifying the steps needed to achieve this.

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