2012/2259(INI) Current challenges and opportunities for renewable energy on the European internal energy market
Lead committee dossier:
Progress: Procedure completed
| Role | Committee | Rapporteur | Shadows |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lead | ITRE |
REUL Herbert ( PPE)
|
LANGE Bernd ( S&D),
HALL Fiona ( ALDE),
TURMES Claude ( Verts/ALE),
VAN DALEN Peter ( ECR),
HELMER Roger ( EFD)
|
| Committee Opinion | IMCO | ||
| Committee Opinion | ECON | ||
| Committee Opinion | AGRI |
DANELLIS Spyros ( S&D)
|
Pilar AYUSO ( PPE),
Julie GIRLING ( ECR)
|
| Committee Opinion | ENVI |
MAZEJ KUKOVIČ Zofija ( PPE)
|
Vicky FORD ( ECR)
|
| Committee Opinion | REGI |
PAKARINEN Riikka ( ALDE)
|
|
| Committee Opinion | INTA |
JADOT Yannick ( Verts/ALE)
|
Marielle DE SARNEZ ( ALDE)
|
Lead committee dossier:
Legal Basis:
RoP 54
Legal Basis:
RoP 54Subjects
- 3.10 Agricultural policy and economies
- 3.10.11 Forestry policy
- 3.40.14 Industrial competitiveness
- 3.60.05 Alternative and renewable energies
- 3.60.10 Security of energy supply
- 3.70.02 Atmospheric pollution, motor vehicle pollution
- 3.70.03 Climate policy, climate change, ozone layer
- 4.60.02 Consumer information, advertising, labelling
- 4.70.05 Regional cooperation, cross-border cooperation
- 5.05 Economic growth
- 6.20 Common commercial policy in general
Events
2013/05/21
EP - Results of vote in Parliament
Documents
2013/05/21
EP - Decision by Parliament
Details
The European Parliament adopted by 465 votes to 177, with 46 abstentions, a resolution on the current challenges and opportunities for renewable energy in the European internal energy market in response to the Commission communication entitled ‘Renewable Energy: a major player in the European energy market’.
Getting the benefit of renewables : Parliament adds that targets and milestones should be set for the period to 2050 in order to ensure that RES have a credible future in the EU. It recalls that all scenarios presented by the Commission in its Energy Roadmap 2050 assume a share of at least 30% RES in the EU’s energy mix in 2030 and suggests that the EU should endeavour to achieve an even higher share. The Commission is called upon to propose a mandatory EU-wide RES target for 2030.
Emphasising that safe, secure, affordable and sustainable energy provision is indispensable for the competitiveness of European industry and the economy, Members highlight that the share of RES in electricity, heating and cooling and transport needs to be increased in a manner that is cost-efficient, taking into account the benefits and full costs of RES, including system costs, while safeguarding supply security.
The resolution notes that the Member States, within the framework provided by the EU Renewable Energy Directive 2009/28/EC, are currently acting independently in promoting RES within national administrative frameworks that differ widely , and that this is exacerbating their uneven development. A functioning internal market could contribute to compensating RES variability and the uneven distribution of natural assets.
Convinced that most areas can make contributions to the deployment of RES, Parliament stresses the need to incentivise investment in RES where they have the greatest potential, in order to ensure efficient use of public funding. It calls on the Commission to explore with the European Investment Bank and national institutions possibilities for innovative financial instruments to finance renewable energy projects, while carbon markets should do their part in incentivising investments in RES projects.
Renewable energy on the European internal energy market : Members note that the internal market in gas and electricity is to be completed by 2014 and will be crucial for RES integration to serve as a cost-effective means to balance variable electricity production. The Commission is called upon to tackle inappropriate market concentration where it hinders competition (including the referral of Member States to the Court of Justice). Member States are called upon to continue with the full implementation of the internal energy market legislation and the development of interconnections, as well as the elimination of energy islands and bottlenecks. Members support the Commission's view that competition needs to extend to renewables, when they become mature and economically viable .
Infrastructure requirements : the resolution insists on:
the modernisation of the energy grid and the urgence to develop infrastructure development for the success of the single market: the implementation of the energy infrastructure package is crucial in this respect, in particular for speeding up the construction of new infrastructure with cross-border impact; the increasing need for a stable policy framework to provide economic guarantees concerning the availability of these reserves as well as for system and balancing services, Member reject the concept of competition for subsidies between energy sources and call for an energy market design tailored to the Union’s long-term energy and climate policy objectives , which makes it possible to integrate RES technologies into the internal energy market; the advantages of decentralised renewable energy supply close to consumption centres, Members point out that the Commission should facilitate the development of adequate modelling tools to define the optimal mix of distant, large scale generation plants and distribution level installations; the insufficient network capacity and storage facilities : this situation can add to uncoordinated cross-border energy flows (loop flows) and could cause serious emergencies in other Member States. In this regard, Members call on the Member States to press ahead as quickly as possible with the development of transmission and distribution systems and to encourage greater cooperation between transmission system operators; the potential of smart grids, demand side management tools and energy storage solutions , both to facilitate the best possible integration of RES-E and to even out grid fluctuations.
Empowering consumers : stressing the need for further action to increase the social acceptance of renewable energy sources, Members state that an effective action to this end would be to establish a holistic approach to the producer/consumer – or ‘prosumer’ – who would be able to manage the process of energy generation. Parliament notes that a prerequisite for efficient local consumption and production of energy, from a prosumer and distribution-grid perspective, is the roll-out of smart meters and more generally of smart grids.
Members stress that energy should be affordable for all and that industry’s ability to compete must not be affected. They ask the Member States to take the necessary measures to ensure that low income customers are effectively protected , while raising public awareness of the potential of energy saving and energy efficiency measures.
International cooperation and trade : Members underline the role domestic renewable energy sources play in terms of security of supply and re-establishing a positive trade balance with oil and gas exporter countries. They stress that these should play a larger role in achieving the EU’s energy security.
Emphasising that the unlawful distortion of competition on the market is unacceptable and that the best conditions for the growth of RES are offered by free and open global markets, the resolution calls on the Commission to:
bring ongoing proceedings on unfair practices to a conclusion as quickly as possible; not to create any new obstacles to trade in finished products or components used in renewable energy technologies; take action to remedy obstacles to trade, to safeguard fair competition, to help EU companies to access non-EU-markets and to tackle alleged trade distortions, including with regard to illegal state aid; actively monitor the use of unjustified non-tariff barriers (NTBs), subsidies and dumping measures by the EU’s trade partners in this area; investigate the possibilities for the initiation of an Environmental Technology Free Trade Agreement, which would establish tariff-free trade in environmental technology products.
Parliament underlines the need for closer cooperation on energy policy, including in the field of renewable energy, with the EU’s neighbouring countries, and the need to exploit the trading potential of renewables more effectively.
Innovation, R&D and industrial policy : Members stress that only innovation, based on R&D, can secure Europe’s leading position in renewable energy technology markets. They stress private investors’ need for certainty and call on the Commission to foster an industrial strategy for energy technologies , including, in particular, renewable energy technologies.
A European framework for the promotion of renewable energy : Members welcome the Commission’s declared intention to draw up guidelines on good practice and the reform of national support arrangements. The Commission is called upon to produce the guidelines as soon as possible to ensure that the different national schemes do not distort competition or create barriers to trade and investment within the EU, in order to encourage predictability and cost-effectiveness and avoid excessive subsidies.
Lastly, Parliament regards it as essential, in view of the multiplicity of support arrangements in place in the Member States, to move the debate about greater convergence and a suitable European system of support for post-2020 forward .
Documents
2013/05/21
EP - End of procedure in Parliament
2013/05/20
EP - Debate in Parliament
Documents
2013/04/15
CZ_SENATE - Contribution
Documents
2013/04/03
EP - Committee report tabled for plenary
Details
The Committee on Industry, Research and Energy adopted the initiative report by Herbert REUL (EPP, DE) on the current challenges and opportunities for renewable energy in the European internal energy market in response to the Commission communication entitled ‘Renewable Energy: a major player in the European energy market’.
Getting the benefit of renewables : Members agree with the Commission that RES, together with energy efficiency measures and flexible and smart infrastructure, are the ‘no regrets’ options identified by the Commission and that RES in the future will account for a growing share of energy provision in Europe. Members recalls that all scenarios presented by the Commission in its Energy Roadmap 2050 assume a share of at least 30% RES in the EU’s energy mix in 2030. They suggest, therefore, that the EU should endeavour to achieve an even higher share.
Emphasising that safe, secure, affordable and sustainable energy provision is indispensable for the competitiveness of European industry and the economy, Members highlight that the share of RES in electricity, heating and cooling and transport needs to be increased in a manner that is cost-efficient, taking into account the benefits and full costs of RES, including system costs, while safeguarding supply security. The report calls on the EU to guarantee that the promotion of renewable resources in the production and use of energy will not jeopardise food security, high-quality sustainable food production or agricultural competitiveness.
The report notes that the Member States, within the framework provided by the EU Renewable Energy Directive 2009/28/EC, are currently acting independently in promoting RES within national administrative frameworks that differ widely , and that this is exacerbating their uneven development. A functioning internal market could contribute to compensating RES variability and the uneven distribution of natural assets.
Convinced that most areas can make contributions to the deployment of RES, Members stress the need to incentivise investment in RES where they have the greatest potential, in order to ensure efficient use of public funding. They call on the Commission to explore with the European Investment Bank and national institutions possibilities for innovative financial instruments to finance renewable energy projects, while carbon markets should do their part in incentivising investments in RES projects;
Renewable energy on the European internal energy market : Members note that the internal market in gas and electricity is to be completed by 2014 and will be crucial for RES integration to serve as a cost-effective means to balance variable electricity production. The Commission is called upon to : (i) use all the instruments available, including the referral of Member States to the Court of Justice, to bring the internal energy market closer to completion as quickly as possible; (ii) tackle inappropriate market concentration where it hinders competition. Member States are called upon to continue with the full implementation of the internal energy market legislation and the development of interconnections, as well as the elimination of energy islands and bottlenecks.
Infrastructure requirements : the report insists on the modernisation of the energy grid . It also stresses that infrastructure development is urgent and critical for the success of the single market. Members note that implementation of the energy infrastructure package is crucial in this respect, in particular for speeding up the construction of new infrastructure with cross-border impact.
Noting that there is an increasing need for a stable policy framework to provide economic guarantees concerning the availability of these reserves as well as for system and balancing services, Member reject the concept of competition for subsidies between energy sources and call for an energy market design tailored to the Union’s long-term energy and climate policy objectives , which makes it possible to integrate RES technologies into the internal energy market.
The Commission is called upon to assess whether there is a capacity issue in the EU and to determine the amount of firm capacity that can be provided by variable RES in an integrated EU power system, as well as its potential impact on generation adequacy.
Noting the advantages of decentralised renewable energy supply close to consumption centres, Members point out that the Commission should facilitate the development of adequate modelling tools to define the optimal mix of distant, large scale generation plants and distribution level installations.
The report also notes that insufficient network capacity and storage facilities and a lack of cooperation between transmission system operators can add to uncoordinated cross-border energy flows (loop flows) and could cause serious emergencies in other Member States. In this regards, Members call on the Member States to press ahead as quickly as possible with the development of transmission and distribution systems and to encourage greater cooperation between transmission system operators.
The Commission is asked to elaborate a short-term loop-flow compensation mechanism providing affected Member States with a fair cost-sharing methodology until necessary grid developments and the flow-based market coupling are completed.
The report underlines the potential of smart grids, demand side management tools and energy storage solutions , both to facilitate the best possible integration of RES-E and to even out grid fluctuations.
Empowering consumers : stressing the need for further action to increase the social acceptance of renewable energy sources, Members state that an effective action to this end would be to establish a holistic approach to the producer/consumer – or ‘prosumer’ – who would be able to manage the process of energy generation. The report notes that a prerequisite for efficient local consumption and production of energy, from a prosumer and distribution-grid perspective, is the roll-out of smart meters and more generally of smart grids.
Members stress that energy should be affordable for all and that industry’s ability to compete must not be affected. They ask the Member States to take the necessary measures to ensure that low income customers are effectively protected , while raising public awareness of the potential of energy saving and energy efficiency measures.
Recognising that the deployment of small-scale RES represents an opportunity for single households, industries and communities to become energy producers, the report notes the importance of stimulating local cooperatives for renewable energy in increasing citizens’ participation, increasing accessibility of renewable energy and generating financial investments
International cooperation and trade : Members underline the role domestic renewable energy sources play in terms of security of supply and re-establishing a positive trade balance with oil and gas exporter countries. They stress that these should play a larger role in achieving the EU’s energy security.
Emphasising that the unlawful distortion of competition on the market is unacceptable and that the best conditions for the growth of RES are offered by free and open global markets, the report calls on the Commission to :
bring ongoing proceedings on unfair practices to a conclusion as quickly as possible; not to create any new obstacles to trade in finished products or components used in renewable energy technologies; take action to remedy obstacles to trade, to safeguard fair competition, to help EU companies to access non-EU-markets and to tackle alleged trade distortions, including with regard to illegal state aid; actively monitor the use of unjustified non-tariff barriers (NTBs), subsidies and dumping measures by the EU’s trade partners in this area; investigate the possibilities for the initiation of an Environmental Technology Free Trade Agreement, which would establish tariff-free trade in environmental technology products.
The report underlines the need for closer cooperation on energy policy, including in the field of renewable energy, with the EU’s neighbouring countries, and the need to exploit the trading potential of renewables more effectively.
Innovation, R&D and industrial policy : Members stress that only innovation, based on R&D, can secure Europe’s leading position in renewable energy technology markets. They stress private investors’ need for certainty and call on the Commission to foster an industrial strategy for energy technologies , including, in particular, renewable energy technologies.
A European framework for the promotion of renewable energy : Members welcome the Commission’s declared intention to draw up guidelines on good practice and the reform of national support arrangements. The Commission is called upon to produce the guidelines as soon as possible to ensure that the different national schemes do not distort competition or create barriers to trade and investment within the EU, in order to encourage predictability and cost-effectiveness and avoid excessive subsidies.
Lastly, Members regard it as essential, in view of the multiplicity of support arrangements in place in the Member States, to move the debate about greater convergence and a suitable European system of support for post-2020 forward .
Documents
2013/03/19
EP - Vote in committee
2013/03/12
EP - Committee opinion
Documents
2013/03/11
EP - Committee opinion
Documents
2013/02/25
EP - Committee opinion
Documents
2013/02/22
EP - Committee opinion
Documents
2012/12/20
EP - Amendments tabled in committee
Documents
2012/11/26
EP - JADOT Yannick (Verts/ALE) appointed as rapporteur in INTA
2012/11/13
EP - MAZEJ KUKOVIČ Zofija (PPE) appointed as rapporteur in ENVI
2012/11/09
EP - Committee draft report
Documents
2012/11/05
EP - DANELLIS Spyros (S&D) appointed as rapporteur in AGRI
2012/10/25
EP - Committee referral announced in Parliament
2012/09/18
EP - PAKARINEN Riikka (ALDE) appointed as rapporteur in REGI
2012/07/04
EP - REUL Herbert (PPE) appointed as rapporteur in ITRE
2012/06/06
EC - Non-legislative basic document published
Details
PURPOSE: Commission Communication on the integration of renewable energy into the Single Market.
CONTEXT: in 2007 the EU set the ambitious goal of achieving a 20% share of renewable energy and a 10% share of renewable energy in transport by 2020 and has flanked these objectives by a series of supporting policies. The renewable energy goal is a headline target of the Europe 2020 strategy for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth. At the start of 2012, these policies are beginning to work and the EU is currently on track to achieve its goals.
However, the economic crisis has made investors cautious about the energy sector. In Europe's liberalised energy markets, the growth of renewable energy depends on private sector investment, which in turn relies on the stability of renewable energy policy. Investment in infrastructure, manufacturing and logistics also requires related investment - in testing facilities, cable production, factories and ships to build offshore wind installations. In parallel to a rigorous implementation of the Renewable Energy Directive , clarity on longer-term policy is needed to ensure that the necessary investment is made .
The Energy Roadmap 2050 builds on the single energy market, the implementation of the energy infrastructure package and climate objectives as outlined in the 2050 Low Carbon Economy Roadmap . Regardless of scenario choice, the biggest share of energy supply in 2050 will come from renewable energy.
However, despite the strong framework to 2020, the Roadmap suggests that growth of renewable energy will drop after 2020 without further intervention due to their higher costs and barriers compared to fossil fuels. Early policy clarity on the post 2020 regime will generate real benefits for investors in industry and infrastructure as well as for renewable energy investors directly.
Whilst the Renewable Energy Directive (2009/28/EC) provides for setting a post2020 roadmap in 2018, stakeholders have already been asking for clarity regarding policy developments after 2020.
This is why the Commission believes it is important to start preparing now for the period beyond 2020.
CONTENT: this Communication i) explains how renewable energy is being integrated into the single market; ii) gives some guidance on the current framework until 2020, and iii) outlines possible policy options for beyond 2020, to ensure continuity and stability, enabling Europe's renewable energy production to continue to grow to 2030 and beyond.
The Communication indicates the following areas where efforts should be stepped up until 2020 to achieve renewable energy goals whilst being cost-efficient:
Internal market for energy : strong growth in renewable energy markets suggests that significant "maturing" of technologies is occurring. Achieving competitiveness, however, requires political commitment to regulatory frameworks that support industrial policy, technology development and removal of market distortions. It is important to drive down costs, to ensure renewable energy technologies become competitive and ultimately market driven .
1) Policies that hinder investment in renewables should be revised and in particular, fossil fuel subsidies should be phased out .
2) In view of the complementarity of climate and renewable energy policies, a well-functioning carbon market is necessary together with properly designed energy taxes to give investors strong incentives to invest in low carbon technologies and their development.
3) At the same time renewable energy should be gradually integrated into the market with reduced or no support, and should over time contribute to the stability and security of the grid on a level footing with conventional electricity generators and competitive electricity prices.
Improving support schemes : today, most renewable energy technologies benefit from national support schemes, but only a small share of the energy market is affected: less than a third of the 19% of electricity from renewable energy is sheltered from market prices. Mature technologies operating in competitive markets, with a well-functioning carbon market should ultimately no longer need support. However, s ome form of R&D and other financial or administrative support may continue to be needed for newer, less mature technologies.
Recent changes to support schemes have in some cases been triggered by unexpectedly high growth rapidly increasing expenditure on renewable energy, which is not sustainable in the short term. In some Member States, changes to support schemes have lacked transparency, have been introduced suddenly and at times have even been imposed retroactively or have introduced moratoriums. For new technologies and investment still dependant on support, such practices undermine investor confidence in the sector. Moreover diverging national support schemes, based on differing incentives may create barriers to entry and prevent market operators from deploying cross-border business models, possibly hindering business development. Such a risk of impairing the single market must be avoided and more action is also needed to ensure consistency of approach and remove distortions. To encourage this, the Commission plans to prepare guidance on best practice and experience gained in these matters and, if needed, on support scheme reform , to avoid fragmentation of the internal market. Principles for support schemes need to be established that minimise market distortions, avoid over compensation and ensure consistency across Member States.
Boosting cooperation and trade : the Renewable Energy Directive created cooperation mechanisms to enable renewable energy produced in one Member State to count towards the target of another. These have not yet been widely exploited despite the potential economic benefits for both parties. Only two Member States have indicated that they would use cooperation mechanisms to achieve their 2020 targets.
To encourage the development of renewable energy production in and with neighbouring countries, the Commission will facilitate international cooperation on renewable energy development by both enabling full use of the cooperation mechanisms which could develop renewables in the Southern Mediterranean .
Transforming infrastructures: the challenge of meeting future infrastructure needs will very much depend on our capacity to develop renewables, grid infrastructure and better operational solutions together in a single market. Infrastructure development is therefore both urgent and critical for the success of the single market and for the integration of renewable energy. Early adoption of the legislative proposals of the energy infrastructure package is crucial in that respect, in particular for speeding up the construction of new infrastructure with a cross-border impact. The Commission will continue to work with distribution and transmission system operators, regulators, Member States and industry to ensure the development of energy infrastructure is accelerated to complete the process of integrating Europe's networks and markets .
Driving technology innovation: research and development (R&D) funding continues to be crucial to support technology innovation and development. The Strategic Energy Technology (SET) plan and the forthcoming Horizon 2020 research programme are the EU's main contribution to driving developments in key energy technologies. The Commission's 2013 Communication on energy technology policy will identify future R&D needs and challenges in line with the priorities identified in Horizon 2020. It will develop plans to ensure Europe will compete globally to drive innovation forward on a broad range of renewable energy technologies, including new ones, as well as explore further scope for action in promoting existing SET Plan technologies.
Post 2020: the Commission states that if current policy initiatives are not adequate to achieve our long-term energy and climate policy objectives, as the 2050 Roadmap suggests, renewable energy annual growth would slump from 6% to 1%. To maintain robust growth of renewable energy beyond 2020, which is a "no regrets" conclusion of the 2050 analysis, a supportive policy framework will be needed to address remaining market or infrastructure inadequacies. It is crucial to consider the options for concrete 2030 milestones. The impact assessment accompanying the report discusses three policy options. These are:
· a decarbonisation without renewable energy targets option, relying on the carbon market and a revised ETS (Directive 2009/29/EC);
· the continuation of the current regime, with binding renewable energy, emissions reductions and energy efficiency targets; and
· an enhanced, more harmonised management of our whole energy sector with an EU renewable energy target.
It is clear that specific 2030 renewables milestones can only be designed after reflection on the state of post-2020 climate policy, the degree of competition in Europe's electricity, heating and cooling and transport fuel markets, and the degree of energy diversity and technology innovation expected by 2020.
Documents
Documents
- Results of vote in Parliament: Results of vote in Parliament
- Decision by Parliament: T7-0201/2013
- Debate in Parliament: Debate in Parliament
- Contribution: COM(2012)0271
- Committee report tabled for plenary: A7-0135/2013
- Committee opinion: PE502.097
- Committee opinion: PE502.196
- Committee opinion: PE502.089
- Committee opinion: PE502.098
- Amendments tabled in committee: PE500.604
- Committee draft report: PE497.809
- Non-legislative basic document published: COM(2012)0271
- Non-legislative basic document published: EUR-Lex
- Committee draft report: PE497.809
- Amendments tabled in committee: PE500.604
- Committee opinion: PE502.098
- Committee opinion: PE502.089
- Committee opinion: PE502.196
- Committee opinion: PE502.097
- Contribution: COM(2012)0271
Activities
- Martin SCHULZ
Plenary Speeches (5)
- 2016/11/22 Order of business
- 2016/11/22 Order of business
- 2016/11/22 Order of business
- 2016/11/22 Order of business
- 2016/11/22 Order of business
- Marianne THYSSEN
Plenary Speeches (2)
- 2016/11/22 Order of business
- 2016/11/22 Order of business
- John Stuart AGNEW
Plenary Speeches (1)
- 2016/11/22 Order of business
- Jean-Pierre AUDY
Plenary Speeches (1)
- 2016/11/22 Order of business
- Daniel COHN-BENDIT
Plenary Speeches (1)
- 2016/11/22 Order of business
- Jean-Paul GAUZÈS
Plenary Speeches (1)
- 2016/11/22 Order of business
- Rebecca HARMS
Plenary Speeches (1)
- 2016/11/22 Order of business
- Francesco Enrico SPERONI
Plenary Speeches (1)
- 2016/11/22 Order of business
- Rafał TRZASKOWSKI
Plenary Speeches (1)
- 2016/11/22 Order of business
Votes
A7-0135/2013 - Herbert Reul - Am 1/1 #
2013/05/21 Outcome: +: 339, -: 336, 0: 12
GUE/NGL
NIA7-0135/2013 - Herbert Reul - Am 1/2 #
2013/05/21 Outcome: -: 365, +: 284, 0: 35
A7-0135/2013 - Herbert Reul - Résolution #
2013/05/21 Outcome: +: 465, -: 177, 0: 46
| Amendments | Dossier |
| 751 |
2012/2259(INI)
2012/12/20
ITRE
504 amendments...
Amendment 1 #
Motion for a resolution Heading 1 on
Amendment 10 #
Motion for a resolution Recital A a (new) A a. whereas renewable energy sources contribute to the European Union energy policy goals;
Amendment 100 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 2 2. Emphasises that secure, affordable and environmentally sound energy provision is indispensable for the competitiveness of European industry; emphasises, therefore, that the energy supply system needs to be overhauled
Amendment 101 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 2 a (new) 2 a. Criticizes the retroactive measures on RES support mechanisms which have been recently adopted in a series of countries; underlines that, by jeopardising the economics of existing renewable installations, such measures increase the cost of capital for new investors, not only in the countries where they occur, but also throughout Europe; notes that the transformation of the energy sector will require more capital-intensive investments in the coming years and that deteriorating the climate of confidence in renewables will therefore make the achievement of the binding 2020 targets more expensive; calls on the Commission to strongly react to these decisions and use all the appropriate legal means to revise these decisions;
Amendment 102 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 2 b (new) 2 b. Stipulates that retroactive changes in support schemes for renewable energy should not be undertaken in the interest of investment security and legal certainty; suggests that - in case those measures become indispensable for well justified reasons - the Portuguese model of joint elaboration of the best solution between government and industry leading to a fair and acceptable agreement should be followed;
Amendment 103 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 2 a (new) 2 a. Highlights that within the RES sector, the current and expected contribution of biomass and of other controllable energy resources should be made more visible to stakeholders in order to foster a fair and balanced decision-making process;
Amendment 104 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 2 a (new) 2a. Considers that the modernisation and development of energy infrastructures making it possible to encompass decentralised power generation from renewable sources is urgent and essential;
Amendment 105 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 2 a (new) 2 a. Notes that some renewable energy sources, such as geothermal, can provide heat and power locally and continuously; is of the view that those local sources of energy increase energy independence, including for isolated communities;
Amendment 106 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 2 a (new) 2a. Notes that roughly half a million jobs have been created in the RES sector and that the more intensive development of RES over the period to 2030 could create a further 3 million jobs;
Amendment 107 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 2 b (new) 2b. Emphasises that the use of RES fosters the diversification of energy supply, enhances Europe's competitiveness and supply security and contributes to the development of new industries and export markets;
Amendment 108 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 2 b (new) 2 b. Stresses that the search for RES should avoid creating a competition for the use of natural resources and compromising the economic and sustainable development of other industrial sectors;
Amendment 109 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 2 c (new) 2c. Notes that the more intensive development of RES in the EU Member States is likely to lead to increased use of biomass, which will in turn necessitate the framing of detailed sustainability criteria for gaseous and solid biomass which take account, for example, of water protection, indirect land use and biodiversity considerations;
Amendment 11 #
Motion for a resolution Recital A a (new) A a. whereas the European Commission estimates in the Energy Roadmap 2050 that the share of renewable energy sources will represent by 2050 between 55 to 75% of final energy consumption in all decarbonisation scenarios, but that the share of renewable energy following 2020 will slump if no further action is taken;
Amendment 110 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 3 3.
Amendment 111 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 3 3. Notes that the
Amendment 112 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 3 3. Notes that, in pursuit of their 2020 national targets set by the EU Renewable Energy Directive, the Member States are currently acting independently in the promotion of RES
Amendment 113 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 3 3. Notes that the Member States are currently acting independently in
Amendment 114 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 3 3. Notes that the Member States are currently acting independently in the promotion of RES, within administrative frameworks that differ widely,
Amendment 115 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 3 3. Notes that the Member States are currently acting independently in the promotion of RES, within administrative frameworks that differ widely, and that their potential for developing renewables is uneven on account of
Amendment 116 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 3 3. Notes that the Member States are currently acting independently in the
Amendment 117 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 3 3. Notes that the Member States are currently acting independently in the promotion of RES, within administrative frameworks that differ widely, and that their potential for developing renewables is
Amendment 118 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 3 3. Notes that the Member States are currently acting independently in the promotion of RES, within administrative frameworks that differ widely, and that their potential for developing renewables is uneven on account of nat
Amendment 119 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 3 a (new) 3 a. Emphasizes that the emergence of RES technologies and its distributed and decentralized nature initiated the creation of many citizen-owned energy production and distribution cooperatives and community schemes;
Amendment 12 #
Motion for a resolution Recital A a (new) A a. whereas the diversification of our energy mix relies on a vast array of renewable energy technologies (hydropower, geothermal, solar power, marine, wind, heat pump, biomass, biofuel) offering different services in the form of electricity, heating and cooling as well as transport solutions;
Amendment 120 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 4 4. Notes that
Amendment 121 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 4 4.
Amendment 122 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 4 4. Notes that levels of public and political acceptance of renewable energy differ and that the availability of public and private financing to promote RES varies widely; therefore agrees with the Commission that stimulating consumers to produce their own energy will lead to a stronger sense of ownership and control over their energy use and increased acceptance of renewable energy projects;
Amendment 123 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 4 4. Notes that levels of public and political acceptance of
Amendment 124 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 4 4. Notes that levels of public and political acceptance of renewable energy differ and that the availability of public and private financing to promote RES varies widely; notes that public and political acceptance of renewable energy can only be secured by ensuring total transparency as regards the costs and consequences thereof for consumers;
Amendment 125 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 4 4. Notes that levels of public and political acceptance of
Amendment 126 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 4 4. Notes that levels of public and political acceptance of renewable energy differ and that the availability of public and private financing to promote RES varies widely; believes that carbon markets have a role to play in providing investors incentives to invest in RES;
Amendment 127 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 4 4. Notes that levels of public and political acceptance of renewable energy differ and that the availability of public and private financing to promote RES varies widely; considers it essential to create maps showing the distribution of renewable energy potential within the Member States and throughout the entire EU in order to facilitate the proper allocation of this funding;
Amendment 128 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 4 4. Notes that levels of public and political acceptance of
Amendment 129 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 4 a (new) 4 a. Emphasizes that the emergence of RES technologies and its decentralized nature initiated the creation of many citizen-owned energy production and distribution cooperatives and community schemes as evidenced in Germany, Belgium and Denmark for example;
Amendment 13 #
Motion for a resolution Recital A a (new) A a. whereas renewable energy offers a wide range of technologies providing energy services in the form of electricity, heating and cooling as well as transport solutions and thereby can play a significant role in diversifying our energy mix;
Amendment 130 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 4 a (new) 4 a. Emphasizes that the emergence of RES technologies and its decentralized nature initiated the creation of many citizen-owned energy production and distribution cooperatives and community schemes as evidenced in Germany and Denmark for example;
Amendment 131 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 4 a (new) 4a. Emphasises that public acceptance is a key prerequisite for the further development of RES, so that it is essential that EU citizens should be given a major say at an early stage on matters concerning grid and plant construction;
Amendment 132 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 5 Amendment 133 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 5 5. Is concerned that
Amendment 134 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 5 5.
Amendment 135 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 5 5.
Amendment 136 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 5 5.
Amendment 137 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 5 5. Is concerned that, so far, only some of the renewables on the energy market are economically competitive, although certain other technologies are closing the gap with market prices; agrees with the Commission that all a
Amendment 138 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 5 5. Is concerned that, so far, only some of the renewables on the energy market are economically competitive, although certain other technologies are closing the gap with market prices; agrees with the Commission that all available means must be used to bring the costs down and make RES economically competitive; points out that a plan for phasing out fossil fuel subsidies is needed in order to improve the competitiveness of renewable energy;
Amendment 139 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 5 5. Is concerned that, so far, only some of the renewables on the energy market are economically competitive, although certain other technologies are closing the gap with market prices; agrees with the Commission that all available means must be used to bring the costs down and make RES economically competitive; stresses that the risks to those who invest in renewable energy have to be reduced by means of a clear long-term European strategy;
Amendment 14 #
Motion for a resolution Recital A a (new) A a. whereas renewable energy offers a wide range of technologies providing energy services in the form of electricity, heating and cooling as well as transport solutions and thereby can play a significant role in diversifying our energy mix;
Amendment 140 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 5 5.
Amendment 141 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 5 5. Is concerned that, so far, only some of the renewables on the energy market are economically competitive, although certain other technologies are closing the gap with market prices; agrees with the Commission that all a
Amendment 142 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 5 5.
Amendment 143 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 5 5. Is concerned that, so far,
Amendment 144 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 5 5. Is concerned that, so far, only some of the renewables on the energy market are economically competitive, although certain other technologies are closing the gap with market prices; agrees with the Commission that all available means must be used to bring the costs down and make RES economically competitive as an additional source of electricity for homes and as a means of generating electricity for the grid;
Amendment 145 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 5 5. Is concerned that, so far, only some of the renewables on the energy market are economically competitive, although
Amendment 146 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 5 5.
Amendment 147 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 5 5.
Amendment 148 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 5 a (new) 5 a. Notes that heating and cooling represents today more than 40% of the final energy consumption in Europe and that the share of renewables in final energy consumption of heating and cooling has been increasing, amounting to 12.47% of the EU27 gross final heating and cooling consumption in 2009; emphasises that more attention should be given to the untapped potential of renewable heating and cooling and its role in fostering sustainability, local growth and industrial competitiveness; calls on the European Commission to come forward with a thorough analysis and its subsequent next steps for supporting Member States to effectively and cost-efficiently harness the full potential of renewable heating and cooling;
Amendment 149 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 5 a (new) 5 a. Notes that heating and cooling represent about 46% of the EU final energy consumption and that the share of renewables in final energy consumption of heating and cooling has been increasing, amounting to 12.47% of the EU27 gross final heating and cooling consumption in 2009; considers therefore that more attention should be given to the untapped potential of renewable heating and cooling and its role in fostering sustainability, local growth and industrial competitiveness;
Amendment 15 #
Motion for a resolution Recital A a (new) A a. whereas the binding target of a minimum 20% share of renewable energy by 2020 is a headline target of the Europe 2020 strategy for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth;
Amendment 150 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 5 a (new) 5 a. Acknowledges that there is a sufficient legal framework in the form of Regulation (EU) No 955/2010 of 20 October 2010 laying down the obligations of operators who place timber and timber products on the market to provide a proof that biomass within the European Union is produced sustainably and that no forest or environmental legislation related to sustainable forest management is breached; notes that any new legislation on sustainability of biomass used to generate renewable energy and produced within the European Union should take into account the existing legal framework and instruments that it provides;
Amendment 151 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 5 a (new) 5 a. Recognises that the potential of reducing carbon dioxide emissions by increasing the use of biomethane in vehicles for short and long distances, particularly in heavy duty vehicles, and the use of electricity in vehicles for short distances within cities, is significant;
Amendment 152 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 5 a (new) 5 a. Sees the need for further action to increase the social acceptance of renewable energy sources; states, at the same time, that an effective action to this end would be to establish a holistic approach to the producer/consumer – or ‘prosumer’ – who would be able to manage the process of energy generation;
Amendment 153 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 5 a (new) 5 a. Market mechanisms and competition is a precondition for the long term development of renewable energy in Europe; notes that a free and open market is the best way to stimulate a sustainable development of renewable energy;
Amendment 154 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 5 a (new) 5 a. Feels that, in the area of conventional energy, it would be better to make use of biomass, including biomass from communal waste;
Amendment 155 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 5 a (new) 5 a. Notes the importance of ensuring that prices for consumers, both domestic and industrial, remain at an affordable level;
Amendment 156 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 5 b (new) 5 b. In order to allow for the gradual integration into the market, believes that national support schemes for RES should gradually be phased out when the market viability and competiveness of a specific RES has been achieved;
Amendment 157 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 5 a (new) 5 a. In order to favour the most cost- efficient integration of renewables in the European market, calls on Member States to phase out fossil and nuclear subsidies, properly implement the liberalisation packages, and address structural market deficits, such as market concentration and on the Commission to be adamant in making this happen, implement liquid intra-day, balancing and grid support services markets and on the Commission to integrate them at EU level as outlined in the EU wide target model and beyond;
Amendment 158 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 5 a (new) 5 a. For the internal energy marked to function properly Member States should phase out fossil fuel and nuclear subsidies, implement the liberalisation packages and address structural market deficits such as market concentration and regulated energy prices, implement liquid intra-day balancing and grid support services markets;
Amendment 159 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 5 a (new) 5 a. Underlines that the prices of different energy sources play a major role in determining the behaviour of market actors, including industry and consumers, and notes that the inability of the current policy framework to fully internalise external costs, in combination with generous state subsidies to non-renewable energy sources, impedes the growth of renewable energy sources; calls for fossil fuels subsidies to be phased out and for all energy sources to carry their own environmental cost;
Amendment 16 #
Motion for a resolution Recital A a (new) Aa. whereas the Europe-wide energy- supply potential of RES has not yet been exhausted;
Amendment 160 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 5 c (new) 5 c. Believes there is a need to phase out subsidies that damage competition and also those that support environmentally harmful fossil fuels;
Amendment 161 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 5 d (new) 5 d. Believes there is a need to phase out subsidies that support environmentally harmful fossil fuels;
Amendment 162 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 5 b (new) 5 b. Calls on the Commission to carry out an analysis on the impact fossil fuel and nuclear subsidies have on the well- functioning of the internal energy market and the integration of RES into the energy system;
Amendment 163 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 5 a (new) 5 a. Is concerned that non-renewable energy sources are still subsidised in some countries;
Amendment 164 #
Motion for a resolution Subheading 2 Renewable energy
Amendment 165 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 5 a (new) (after subheading "Renewable energy on the European internal energy market") 5a. Notes that grid infrastructure, grid management and market rules are tailored to the needs of fossil fuel-fired and nuclear power stations, with the result that newer technologies such as RES are placed at a competitive disadvantage;
Amendment 166 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 5 a (new) (after subheading "Renewable energy on the European internal energy market") 5 a. Notes that certain renewable technologies can cause unacceptable loss of amenity and may pose human health risks when located in close proximity to residential dwellings; emphasises that RES should not be developed in a manner which selectively damages the living environment or economic welfare of isolated communities or habitations; underscores the need for national governments to ensure the protection of or the proper compensation for, anyone whose health or amenity may be damaged by the development of RES;
Amendment 167 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 6 6. Notes that the internal market in gas and electricity
Amendment 168 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 6 6. Notes that the internal market in gas and electricity is to be completed by 2014;
Amendment 169 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 6 6. Notes that the internal market in gas and electricity is to be completed by 2014; welcomes the Commission's intention to report in the near future on the state of progress towards completion of the internal energy market; calls on Member States to continue their efforts in the full implementation of the internal energy market legislation, the development of interconnections and the elimination of energy islands and bottlenecks;
Amendment 17 #
Motion for a resolution Recital A b (new) A b. whereas wood and wood waste continues to make the largest contribution to the share of energy from renewable sources in gross final energy consumption;
Amendment 170 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 6 6. Notes that the internal market in gas and electricity is to be completed by 2014; welcomes the Commission's intention to report in the near future on the state of progress towards completion of the internal energy market; calls on Member States to continue their efforts in the full implementation of the internal energy market legislation, the development of interconnections and the elimination of bottlenecks;
Amendment 171 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 6 6. Notes that the internal market in gas and electricity
Amendment 172 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 6 6. Notes that the internal market in gas and electricity is to be completed by 2014; welcomes the Commission’s intention to
Amendment 173 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 6 a (new) 6 a. Expresses its concern about the compatibility of recent changes in tax and power generation legislation in Member States such as Spain with the EU internal energy market provisions, as well as with other EU energy legislation and its general objectives; suggests to tackle fairly and transparently the challenges of the economic crisis as well as national specific problems such as overcapacities in the electricity sector by defining new burden sharing mechanisms for the electricity system costs that also take on board criteria such as historic and indirect subsidies, production efficiency and the internalisation of external costs;
Amendment 174 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 6 a (new) 6 a. In order to pass on cost-efficiency gains to final consumers and to control the cost of promotion of RES, national support schemes must be more responsive to market signals, take into account the maturity of the various technologies and be adapted accordingly;
Amendment 175 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 6 a (new) 6 a. A single European energy market, where energy can flow freely between all EU Member States, is a crucial factor for the development of renewables in Europe;
Amendment 176 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 6 b (new) 6 b. Underlines that the current regime - in which the internal energy market has not yet become reality due to non- transposition of the relevant provisions - favours fossil fuel based electricity generation, often through unfair subsidies and dominant incumbents; calls on the Commission to put an end to the resulting unfair treatment towards RES by using its legal means accordingly; calls further for a full internalisation of external costs, such as greenhouse gas emissions;
Amendment 177 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 7 Amendment 178 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 7 7. Notes that the existence within the Union of approximately 170 different schemes for promoting RES
Amendment 179 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 7 7. Notes that the existence within the Union of a
Amendment 18 #
Motion for a resolution Recital A b (new) A b. whereas heating and cooling represent about 45% of the EU final energy consumption and renewable heating and cooling technologies have a key role to play in the decarbonisation of the energy sector;
Amendment 180 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 7 7. Notes that
Amendment 181 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 7 7. Notes that the existence within the Union of
Amendment 182 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 7 7. Notes that the existence within the Union of
Amendment 183 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 7 7. Notes that the existence within the Union of approximately 170 different schemes for promoting RES gives rise to considerable inefficiencies in cross-border electricity trading because it reinforces and indeed aggravates inequalities, thus working against completion of the internal energy market; guidance from the Commission on support schemes reform will be welcomed;
Amendment 184 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 7 7. Notes that the existence within the Union of approximately 170 different schemes for promoting RES gives rise to considerable inefficiencies in cross-border electricity trading
Amendment 185 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 7 a (new) 7 a. Stresses that complicated authorisation procedures and planning processes that may take months or years and fear of retroactive changes to support schemes, increase project risk; such high risks, particularly in countries with stressed capital markets, result in very high cost of capital, raising the cost of renewable energy projects and undermining their competitiveness;
Amendment 186 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 7 b (new) 7 b. Highlights the need for simplified administrative procedures and stable and efficient support schemes which can be adapted over time and phased out when technologies and supply chains mature and become competitive and market failures are resolved;
Amendment 187 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 8 8. Notes that those who will benefit most from completion of the internal energy market are the consumers;
Amendment 188 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 8 8. Notes that those who will benefit most from completion of the internal energy market are the consumers; supports the Commission’s view that competition needs to extend to renewables, in the long term and when they become economically viable, as well as other energy sources because it is the best stimulus to advances in innovation and price reductions;
Amendment 189 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 8 8. Notes that those who will benefit most from completion of the internal energy market are the consumers; supports the Commission's view that competition needs to extend to
Amendment 19 #
Motion for a resolution Recital A b (new) A b. whereas renewable heating and cooling technologies have a key role to play in the decarbonisation of the energy sector;
Amendment 190 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 8 8. Notes that those who will benefit most from completion of the internal energy market are the consumers; supports the Commission's view that competition needs to extend to
Amendment 191 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 8 8. Notes that those who will benefit most from completion of the internal energy market are the consumers; supports the Commission's view that competition needs to extend to renewables as well as other energy sources because it is the best stimulus to advances in innovation and price reductions; calls for coherent support measures for energy generation and criticizes the recent policy of Greece rising the premium for gas-based electricity production while lowering the one for wind, which has lead to a much higher revenue for fossil fuel based energy generation than for renewable energy generation; calls on the Commission to point out that this is not in line with EU policies and objectives and should be revised;
Amendment 192 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 8 8. Notes that those who will benefit most from completion of the internal energy market are the consumers; supports the Commission’s view that competition needs to extend to renewables as well as other energy sources because it is the best stimulus to advances in innovation and price reductions; is nonetheless concerned that the vital marketisation of energy production from renewable energy sources could lead to more wide-scale energy poverty;
Amendment 193 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 8 8. Notes that those who will benefit most from completion of the internal energy market are the consumers; supports the Commission's view that competition needs to extend to renewables as well as other energy sources because it is the best stimulus to advances in innovation and price reductions; underlines that the persistence of regulated prices at the retail level jeopardizes the capability of consumers to fully exercise their choices;
Amendment 194 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 8 a (new) 8 a. Notes that the development of energy storage and stimulating consumers to produce their own energy can link up with market developments and are therefore important to make the internal energy market work;
Amendment 195 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 9 9. Notes with concern that the cooperation mechanisms introduced by Directive 2009/28/EC have, to date, scarcely been used; points to the Commission’s findings indicating that better use of the existing scope for cooperation would bring considerable benefits; welcomes the Commission’s declared intention to draw up guidelines on cooperation within the EU which set out how the cooperation mechanisms should work in practice, outline the challenges involved and ways of tackling them and ensure that EU requirements are transposed into Member State law; calls on the Member States to make better use of the scope for cooperation and to develop communication between one another;
Amendment 196 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 9 9. Notes with concern that the cooperation mechanisms introduced by Directive 2009/28/EC have, to date, scarcely been used; points to the Commission's findings indicating that better use of the existing scope for cooperation would bring considerable benefits, such as boosting trade; welcomes the
Amendment 197 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 9 9. Notes
Amendment 198 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 9 9. Notes
Amendment 199 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 9 a (new) 9 a. Recalls that the Renewable Energy Directive created cooperation mechanisms to enable renewable energy produced in one Member State to count towards the target of another; regrets that these have not yet been widely exploited despite the potential economic benefits for both parties;
Amendment 2 #
Motion for a resolution Citation 2 a (new) - having regard to the Commission communication on Europe 2020, a strategy for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth (COM (2010) 2020),
Amendment 20 #
Motion for a resolution Recital A b (new) Ab. whereas the growing share of the European energy mix accounted for by RES makes the expansion of the existing grid and IT infrastructure essential;
Amendment 200 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 9 a (new) 9a. Emphasises that setting at an early stage an ambitious binding target for the share of final energy consumption to be accounted for by RES, applicable throughout the EU post-2020, would prompt the Member States to become more involved in the cooperation mechanisms;
Amendment 201 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 9 a (new) 9 a. Welcomes that forecasting methods for wind capacity to be available on the intra-day markets have improved, allowing for a better integration of electricity from variable RES; equally welcomes the new network codes required by the 3rd internal energy market package currently being developed by the relevant actors leading to stabilised frequency, thus also contributing to a better integration of RES produced electricity;
Amendment 202 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 9 b (new) 9 b. Welcomes the introduction of feed-in premium systems in the UK, Italy, Denmark and Germany, allowing RES to fully participate in an integrated internal energy market;
Amendment 203 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 10 10.
Amendment 204 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 10 10. Emphasises that
Amendment 205 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 10 10. Emphasises that
Amendment 206 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 10 10. Emphasises that RES must be
Amendment 207 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 10 10. Emphasises that
Amendment 208 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 10 10. Emphasises that
Amendment 209 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 10 10. Emphasises that RES must be fully integrated into the European internal energy market in all the Member States without delay and that
Amendment 21 #
Motion for a resolution Recital A c (new) Amendment 210 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 10 10. Emphasises that RES-E (renewable electricity) must be fully
Amendment 211 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 10 10. Emphasises that
Amendment 212 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 10 10. Emphasises that RES must be fully integrated into the European internal energy market in all the Member States without delay
Amendment 213 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 10 10. Emphasises that RES must be fully integrated into the European internal energy market in all the Member States without delay and that in the long term they must take on stabilising functions and tasks within the system that have previously been performed by conventional energy sources; calls, in that connection, for greater account to be taken, in planning and implementation, of the positive and negative and direct and indirect side effects of RES, in particular as regards existing infrastructure, such as transmission and distribution systems, and the natural world, biodiversity and nature conservation; calls on the Commission and the Member States to raise public awareness of the positive and negative effects of the various RES technologies;
Amendment 214 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 10 10. Emphasises that RES must be fully integrated into the European internal energy market in all the Member States without delay and that in the long term they must take on stabilising functions and tasks within the system that have previously been performed by conventional energy sources; highlights that a genuine internal market would precisely allow to globally compensate RES intermittence and the uneven distribution of natural assets;
Amendment 215 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 10 10. Emphasises that RES must be fully integrated into the European internal energy market in all the Member States without delay and that in the long term they must take on stabilising functions and tasks within the system that have previously been performed by conventional energy sources; acknowledges that addressing system integration challenges is a pre-requisite for further market integration of RES;
Amendment 216 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 10 10. Emphasises that RES must be
Amendment 217 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 10 a (new) 10 a. Notes that the integration of renewable energy can be stimulated by using flexible distributed generation and management technologies and by empowering "prosumers" to actively participate in matching supply and demand, balancing the market and supporting the smooth functioning of the electricity systems; notes that the introduction of more advanced and smart decentralised power generation and grid management technologies will cost- effectively contribute to the integration of renewable energy into the electricity market at the EU level, by enhancing flexibility, complementing vast transmission and distribution infrastructure projects and minimising electricity transport losses;
Amendment 218 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 10 a (new) 10a. Points out that the 2020 renewable energy targets set in the Renewable Energy Directive for the EU as a whole as well as for Member States have spurred renewable energy use in Europe; considers that, to establish policy on a long-term footing and strengthen the security of investment, the EU must, as soon as possible, put forward new targets for the period beyond 2020;
Amendment 219 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 10 a (new) 10 a. Notes that while currently cohesion policy energy funding is overwhelmingly spent on renewables, renewables are already supported by targeted EU and Member States schemes, including feed-in tariffs; notes that this raises questions of the collective impact of cohesion funding in relations to the development of renewables in individual regions; believes, therefore, a better balance must be reached by which a greater percentage of structural funding is targeted at energy efficiency projects;
Amendment 22 #
Motion for a resolution Recital B B. whereas energy policy must, at all times,
Amendment 220 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 10 a (new) 10 a. Assumes that the changing nature of the European energy mix will require adapting the current market design; notes that the benefits generated by renewables, i.e. lowering wholesale electricity market prices via the merit order effect are not properly passed onto the final consumers; calls on energy retailers to pass on their benefits to final consumers;
Amendment 221 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 10 a (new) 10a. Calls on the Commission to consider what impact existing environmental law, such as the Water Framework Directive or the Birds Directive, will have on the development of RES;
Amendment 222 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 10 a (new) 10a. Calls for cost-benefit analyses to weigh up more effectively the interests of various policy areas and to take greater account of the positive effects of renewables, in particular their cost- effective contribution to climate protection; points out that this applies in particular also to EU environmental protection law, for example the Water Framework Directive and the Birds Directive;
Amendment 223 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 10 a (new) (after subheading "Infrastructure requirements") 10 a. Notes that renewable energy resources can be: a) Costly. For example, installation of solar panels; setting up a power station for a geometrical type of energy; manufacture and implementation of wind farms; construction of barrage for tidal and wave types of energy; hydrological or Hydroelectric Power are costly to built. b) Can bring damage to the environment. For example, tidal type of energy has a negative impact on wildlife and may reduce tidal flow and impede flow of sewage out to sea. Solar panels gather dust. Hydroelectric Power can cause the flooding of surrounding communities and landscapes; dams have major ecological impacts on local hydrology. When burned wood gives off atmospheric pollutants, including greenhouse gases. c) Can have limited locations. Wind doesn't blow all the time; geothermal and volcanic activity might calm down, leaving power stations redundant. d) Can be low persistent to noise: a level of noise from a wind turbine. For all these reasons it is important for the Commission to take these points into the consideration in order to conserve the environment;
Amendment 224 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 11 11. Notes that
Amendment 225 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 11 11. Notes that
Amendment 226 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 11 11. Notes that
Amendment 227 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 11 11. Notes that because, in most cases, renewable sources feeding energy into the grid are decentralised
Amendment 228 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 11 11. Notes that because, in
Amendment 229 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 11 11. Notes that because, in most cases, renewable sources feeding energy into the grid are decentralised, remotely located and weather-dependent, they require infrastructure different from that currently
Amendment 23 #
Motion for a resolution Recital B B. whereas energy policy must, at all times, reflect a balance between the aims of supply security, competitiveness and economic and environmental viability;
Amendment 230 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 11 a (new) 11 a. Stresses that infrastructure development is urgent and critical for the success of the single market and for the integration of renewable energy; early adoption of the legislative proposals of the energy infrastructure package is crucial in that respect, in particular for speeding up the construction of new infrastructure with a cross-border impact;
Amendment 231 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 12 Amendment 232 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 12 12. Notes that, in order to guarantee supply security, the development of RES with fluctuating feed-in will necessitate reserves of conventional energy not previously available; recognises that the development of reserve capacity entails substantial costs
Amendment 233 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 12 12. Notes that, in order to guarantee supply security, the development of RES with
Amendment 234 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 12 12. Notes that, in order to guarantee supply security, the development of RES with
Amendment 235 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 12 12. Notes that,
Amendment 236 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 12 12. Notes that, in order to guarantee supply security, the development of RES wi
Amendment 237 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 12 12. Notes that, in order to guarantee supply security, the development of RES with
Amendment 238 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 12 12. Notes that, in order to guarantee supply security, the development of RES with fluctuating feed-in will necessitate
Amendment 239 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 12 12. Notes that, in order to guarantee supply security, the development of RES with fluctuating feed-in will necessitate rapidly deployable reserves of conventional energy not previously available; recognises that the development of reserve capacity entails substantial costs and that, to make the development or retention of conventional reserves more commercially attractive, it will increasingly
Amendment 24 #
Motion for a resolution Recital B B. whereas energy policy must, at all times, reflect a balance between the aims of supply security, competitiveness and economic and environmental viability;
Amendment 240 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 12 12. Notes that, in order to guarantee supply security, the development of RES with fluctuating feed-in will necessitate reserves of conventional energy not previously available; recognises that the development of reserve capacity entails substantial costs and that, to make the development or retention of conventional reserves more commercially attractive, it will increasingly need to be promoted without distorting the energy market; rejects the concept of competition for subsidies and calls for the principles of the market economy to be applied to the design of the energy market by removing existing market distortions as a priority; if energy-only markets do not produce the remuneration required for a balanced market with a high share of electricity from intermittent RES and sufficient backup capacity, a complementary market design element with capacity mechanisms coordinated at EU level may be one approach to correct the lack of adequate profitability;
Amendment 241 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 12 12. Notes that, in order to guarantee supply security, the development of RES with fluctuating feed-in will necessitate reserves of conventional energy
Amendment 242 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 12 12. Notes that, in order to guarantee supply security, the development of RES with fluctuating feed-in will necessitate reserves
Amendment 243 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 12 a (new) 12 a. Emphasises the importance to the cost-efficient deployment of renewables of a supergrid and of the North Sea offshore grid; highlights in this regard the importance of the North Sea Countries' Offshore Grid Initiative (NSCOGI), at a time when over 140 GW of offshore wind projects have been announced; calls on Member States and the Commission to give additional impetus to NSCOGI;
Amendment 244 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 12 b (new) 12 b. Calls on the Commission to assess whether there is a capacity issue in the EU and what the amount of firm capacity that can be provided by variable RES in an integrated EU power system is, as well as its potential positive impact on generation adequacy; calls on ENTSO-E to develop and implement a methodology to assess the firm capacity of variable RES and take it into account in its subsequent System Outlook and Adequacy Forecast;
Amendment 245 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 13 13. Emphasises that according a large share of the energy mix to RES entails major challenges for existing network infrastructure;
Amendment 246 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 13 13. Emphasises that according a large share of the energy mix to RES entails major challenges for existing network infrastructure; notes that, in certain Member States, supply security is being severely affected by the increased feed-in from RES;
Amendment 247 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 13 13. Emphasises that according a large share of the energy mix to RES entails major challenges for existing network infrastructure
Amendment 248 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 13 13. Emphasises that according a large share of the energy mix to RES entails major challenges for existing network infrastructure;
Amendment 249 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 13 13. Emphasises that according a large share of the energy mix to RES entails major challenges for existing network
Amendment 25 #
Motion for a resolution Recital B B. whereas
Amendment 250 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 13 13. Emphasises that according a large share of the energy mix to RES entails major challenges for existing network infrastructure; notes that, in certain Member States, supply security
Amendment 251 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 13 13. Emphasises that according a large share of the energy mix to RES entails major challenges for existing network infrastructure; notes that, in certain Member States, supply security is being severely affected by the increased feed-in from RES; is concerned by the finding by the European Network of Transmission System Operators for Electricity (ENTSO- E) that 80% of all the bottlenecks in European energy grids relate directly or indirectly to feed-in from RES; calls on the Transmission System Operators to update their grid development policies to cope with the integration of RES generation capacities while maintaining security of supply;
Amendment 252 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 13 13. Emphasises that according a large share of the energy mix to RES-E entails major challenges for existing network infrastructure; notes that, in certain Member States, supply security is being severely affected by the increased feed-in from RES; is concerned by the finding by the European Network of Transmission
Amendment 253 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 13 a (new) 13 a. Notes in addition that the integration of renewable energy sources will require an enhanced cooperation between transmission and distribution system operators in order to better accommodate the rising share of distributed generation; emphasises the importance to implement new approaches to overcome bottlenecks on the distribution grids, which do not always entail grid extension and reinforcement;
Amendment 254 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 14 14. Notes that
Amendment 255 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 14 14. Notes that many of the best and most competitive locations for RES in the EU are at a considerable distance from the centres of energy consumption
Amendment 256 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 14 14. Notes on the one hand that
Amendment 257 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 14 14. Notes that
Amendment 258 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 14 14. Notes that many of the best and most competitive locations for RES in the EU are at a considerable distance from the centres of energy consumption; notes that the use of such locations is contingent on the development of transmission systems; however, also notes the potential of micro- generation of renewable energy such as geo-thermal heating and solar power as mentioned in the Commission's communication (COM (2012) 271) as well as local biogas plants;
Amendment 259 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 14 14. Notes that many of the best and most competitive locations for RES in the EU are at a considerable distance from the centres of energy consumption; notes that the use of such locations is contingent on the development of transmission systems; emphasizes the cost-effectiveness of an integrated approach to the energy system, involving a view covering both heat and electricity demand and supply;
Amendment 26 #
Motion for a resolution Recital B B. whereas renewables meet all of the objectives of EU energy policy, which must, at all times, reflect a balance between the aims of supply security and economic and environmental viability;
Amendment 260 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 14 14. Notes that many of the best and most competitive locations for RES in the EU are at a considerable distance from the centres of energy consumption; notes that the use of such locations is contingent on the development of transmission systems; highlights that efficient local RES production shall be also promoted to reduce transmission losses and enhance security of supply;
Amendment 261 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 14 14. Notes that many of the best and most competitive locations for RES in the EU are at a considerable distance from the centres of energy consumption; notes that the use of such locations is contingent on the development of transmission
Amendment 262 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 14 14. Notes that many of the best and most competitive locations for RES in the EU are at a considerable distance from the centres of energy consumption; notes that the use of such locations is contingent on the development of transmission systems and the reinforcement of interconnections;
Amendment 263 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 14 14. Notes that many of the best and most competitive locations for RES in the EU are at a considerable distance from the centres of energy consumption; notes that the use of such locations is contingent on the development of transmission systems and the reinforcement of cross-border interconnections;
Amendment 264 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 14 14. Notes that many of the best and most competitive locations for RES in the EU are at a considerable distance from the
Amendment 265 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 15 15. Notes that
Amendment 266 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 15 15. Notes that the development of RES on
Amendment 267 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 15 15. Notes that the development of RES on a major scale, with their remote and weather-dependent feed-in, can cause uncoordinated cross-border energy flows (loop flows) that could cause serious emergencies in other Member States – making load reduction increasingly necessary in the interests of supply security – if it does not go hand-in-hand with the requisite development of the grid in those Member States; is concerned about the state of
Amendment 268 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 15 15. Notes that the development of RES on a major scale, with their remote and weather-dependent feed-in, can cause uncoordinated cross-border energy flows (loop flows) in other Member States – making load reduction increasingly necessary in the interests of supply security – if it does not go hand-in-hand with the requisite development of the grid; stresses the importance of cross-border cooperation and coordination in the construction of grids; is concerned about the state of development of grid infrastructure in the Member States;
Amendment 269 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 15 15. Notes that the development of RES on a major scale, with
Amendment 27 #
Motion for a resolution Recital B a (new) B a. whereas the EU currently depends on energy imports for more than half of its final energy consumption;
Amendment 270 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 15 15. Notes that the development of RES on a major scale, with their remote and weather-dependent feed-in,
Amendment 271 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 15 15. Notes that the development of RES on a major scale, with their remote and weather-dependent feed-in, can cause uncoordinated cross-border energy flows (loop flows) in other Member States – making load reduction or phase shifters increasingly necessary in the interests of supply security – if it does not go hand-in- hand with the requisite development of the grid; is concerned about the state of development
Amendment 272 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 15 15. Notes that the development of RES-E on a major scale, with their remote and weather-dependent feed-in, can cause uncoordinated cross-border energy flows (loop flows) in other Member States – making load reduction increasingly necessary in the interests of supply security – if it does not go hand-in-hand with the requisite development of the grid; is concerned about the state of development of grid infrastructure in the Member States;
Amendment 273 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 15 a (new) 15a. Notes that the decentralised production of renewable energy, in the form of cooperatives of citizens jointly investing in the production and supply of renewable energy in their own environment, also has an important role to play in future renewable energy policy;
Amendment 274 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 15 a (new) 15 a. Asks the Commission to elaborate a short-term loop-flow compensation mechanism providing affected Member States with a fair cost-sharing methodology until necessary grid developments and the flow-based market coupling are completed;
Amendment 275 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 15 a (new) 15 a. Recalls that one aim of Union energy policy is to promote the interconnectedness of energy systems; calls for the development of connections between the Member States to be speeded up, as their development would make a decisive contribution to integrating RES more fully into the European internal energy market;
Amendment 276 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 16 16. Underscores the need for electricity storage solutions to facilitate the integration of RES into the energy supply;
Amendment 277 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 16 16. Underscores the
Amendment 278 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 16 16. Underscores the
Amendment 279 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 16 16. Underscores the need for electricity storage solutions, both to facilitate the
Amendment 28 #
Motion for a resolution Recital B b (new) B b. whereas renewable energy sources contribute to the EU growth and jobs objective and opportunities to locally produced energy, and in this way contribute to the security of supply;
Amendment 280 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 16 16. Underscores the need for electricity storage solutions and demand side measures to facilitate the integration of RES into the energy supply; re-emphasises the urgent need for further research into electricity storage and smart grids; emphasises the need for renewed attention to the role consumers can play in making the market work better through peak shaving and lowering their energy bills at the same time;
Amendment 281 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 16 16. Underscores the need for electricity storage and CO2 storage solutions to facilitate the integration of RES into the energy supply; re-emphasises the urgent need for further research into electricity and CO2 storage;
Amendment 282 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 16 16. Underscores the need for e
Amendment 283 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 16 16. Underscores the need for electricity storage solutions and demand-response services to facilitate the integration of RES into the energy supply; re-emphasises the urgent need for further research into electricity storage;
Amendment 284 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 16 16. Underscores the need for electricity storage solutions to facilitate the integration of RES into the energy supply; re-emphasises the urgent need for further research into electricity storage; notes in particular the need for further research into variable-speed storage options, which offer a more flexible system of controlling storage speeds and thus facilitate faster and better-matching connections; calls on the Member States to avoid imposing a double tax burden on electricity storage operators;
Amendment 285 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 16 16. Underscores the need for electricity storage solutions to facilitate the integration of RES into the energy supply; re-emphasises the urgent need for further research into electricity storage, including on the basis of cooperation with pumped-storage hydroelectric plants;
Amendment 286 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 16 a (new) 16 a. Considers that cross-border markets for electricity balancing services must be created and the European transmission system must be developed quickly to facilitate the cross-border integration of pumped-storage hydropower, particularly in Scandinavia, the Alps and the Pyrenees;
Amendment 287 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 16 a (new) 16a. Is convinced that waste recovery represents an opportunity for further developing RES and achieving the goals of a European energy plan;
Amendment 288 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 16 a (new) 16 a. Insists on the necessity of encouraging investment in existing and new gas infrastructures to strengthen the development of biomethane, power-to-gas and power-to-hydrogen all over the EU;
Amendment 289 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 16 a (new) 16 a. Underlines the potential of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by increasing the use of gas, biomethane and hydrogen in the transport sector as well as by promoting the use of electric vehicles;
Amendment 29 #
Motion for a resolution Recital B b (new) B b. whereas Europe has a competitive advantage in renewables, which will strongly contribute to growth and job creation;
Amendment 290 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 16 a (new) 16 a. Highlights that the expansion of the RES market in Europe has to take into account the non-availability of the raw materials required for the construction of photovoltaic panels, which makes Europe's industry non-competitive on the global market;
Amendment 291 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 17 17. Is
Amendment 292 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 17 17. Is convinced that ICT will in future play a more important role in energy provision and in the management of RES; calls on the Commission to bring forward without delay proposals for the development, promotion and standardisation of smart grids and meters, boosting the potential synergies in the deployment, development and maintenance throughout the telecommunications and the energy networks ; emphasises that important factors in this regard include not only planning certainty on the providers' side but also acceptance on the part of consumers, as well as data protection;
Amendment 293 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 17 – introductory part 17. Is convinced that ICT will in future play a more important role in energy provision and in the management of RES; calls on the Commission to bring forward without delay proposals for the development, promotion and standardisation of smart grids and meters; calls on the Commission to give particular support to research and development in this sector; emphasises that important factors in this regard include not only planning certainty on the providers’ side but also acceptance on the part of consumers, as well as data
Amendment 294 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 17 17. Is convinced that ICT will in future play a more important role in energy provision and in the management of RES; calls on the Commission to bring forward without delay proposals for the development, promotion and standardisation of smart grids and meters; points out that funding needs to be allocated under the Connecting Europe programme to finance the development of grids so as to increase the incorporation of renewable energy and improve the stability of transfer systems; emphasises that important factors in this regard include not only planning certainty on the providers’ side but also acceptance on the part of consumers, as well as data protection;
Amendment 295 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 17 17. Is convinced that ICT will in future
Amendment 296 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 17 17. Is convinced that ICT will in future play a more important role in the management of energy provision and in the management of RES; calls on the Commission to bring forward without delay proposals for the development, promotion and standardisation of smart grids and meters; emphasises that important factors in this regard include not only planning certainty on the providers’ side but also acceptance on the part of consumers, as well as data protection;
Amendment 297 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 17 17. Is convinced that ICT will in future play a more important role in energy provision and in the management of RES; calls on the Commission to bring forward without delay proposals for the development, promotion
Amendment 298 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 17 17. Is convinced that ICT will in future play a more important role in energy provision and in the management of RES; calls
Amendment 299 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 17 17. Is convinced that ICT will in future play a more important role in energy provision, to make consumers more active in the market, and in the management of RES; calls on the Commission to bring forward without delay proposals for the development, promotion and standardisation of smart grids and meters; emphasises that important factors in this regard include not only planning certainty on the providers' side but also acceptance on the part of consumers, as well as data protection;
Amendment 3 #
Motion for a resolution Citation 4 a (new) - having regard to Directive 2012/27/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 October 2012 on energy efficiency, amending Directives 2009/125/EC and 2010/30/EU and repealing Directives 2004/8/EC and 2006/32/EC,
Amendment 30 #
Motion for a resolution Recital B b (new) B a. whereas Europe still depends on imported energy for more than half of its final energy consumption;
Amendment 300 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 17 17. Is convinced that ICT will in future play a more important role in energy provision and in the management of RES; calls on the Commission, to bring forward without delay proposals, in line with the third internal energy market package, for the development, promotion and standardisation of smart grids and meters; emphasises that important factors in this regard include not only planning certainty on the providers’ side but also acceptance on the part of consumers, as well as data protection;
Amendment 301 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 17 17. Is convinced that ICT will in future play a more important role in energy provision and in the management of RES; calls on the Commission to bring forward without delay proposals for the development, promotion and standardisation of smart grids and meters; emphasises that
Amendment 302 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 17 17. Is convinced that ICT will in future play a more important role in energy provision and in the management of RES; calls on the Commission to bring forward without delay proposals for the development
Amendment 303 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 17 a (new) 17 a. Recognises that gas infrastructure will play an important role in the development of renewable energy across Europe; biogas, as a renewable energy, can easily be fed, as biomethane, into the existing gas grid infrastructure today; new technologies such as "power to hydrogen" and "power to gas", will further benefit the future low-carbon economy framework, making use of existing and new infrastructures that should be promoted and developed;
Amendment 304 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 17 a (new) 17 a. Recognises that gas infrastructure will play an important role in the development of renewable energy across Europe; Firstly, by biogas, which as a renewable energy can easily be fed, as biomethane, into the existing gas grid infrastructure today; Secondly, by new technologies such as "power to hydrogen" and "power to gas" which will further benefit the future low-carbon economy framework, making use of existing and new infrastructures that should be promoted and developed;
Amendment 305 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 17 a (new) 17 a. Emphasises that hydropower must play a central role in the planned development of RES, primarily to balance out the increasingly volatile generation of power by RES but also, through pumped storage, as a method of storing electricity; stresses, therefore, that the existing development potential of hydroelectric power generation and pumped storage in the EU must be fully exploited;
Amendment 306 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 17 a (new) 17 a. Notes that the ICT sector itself, being a major consumer of electricity with data centers in the EU accounting for up to 1,5% of total electricity consumption and consumers being increasingly aware of the carbon footprint of IT and cloud services they use, can become a role model for energy efficiency and RES promotion;
Amendment 307 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 17 a (new) 17 a. Highlights that where citizens own renewable production through cooperative or community owned models there is an increase in social acceptance, which is reducing planning time for implementation and promoting greater citizen understanding of the energy transition;
Amendment 308 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 17 a (new) 17 a. Highlights that where citizens own renewable production through cooperative or community owned models there is an increase in social acceptance, which is reducing planning time for implementation and promoting greater citizen understanding of the energy transition;
Amendment 309 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 17 a (new) 17a. Stresses the potential of renewable energy for providing the necessary infrastructure to ensure the large-scale use of electric or hybrid vehicles thanks to local power generation from renewable sources;
Amendment 31 #
Motion for a resolution Recital C C. whereas
Amendment 310 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 17 a (new) 17 a. Draws attention to the potential savings to be made by taking account of the passage of the sun through Europe’s different time zones when developing RES;
Amendment 311 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 18 18. Emphasises that the further
Amendment 312 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 18 18. Emphasises that
Amendment 313 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 18 18. Emphasises that
Amendment 314 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 18 18.
Amendment 315 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 18 18. Emphasises that the further development of RES
Amendment 316 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 18 18. Emphasises that the further development of RES, similar to deployment of non-renewable energy sources, will entail permanent landscape change in Europe; points out that the only way to win public acceptance of RES is through transparent planning, construction and licensing procedures, in which all the stakeholders are involved;
Amendment 317 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 18 18. Emphasises that the further development of RES will entail permanent landscape change in Europe; points out that the only way to win public acceptance of RES is through transparent planning, construction and licensing procedures with mandatory and timely public consultation, in which all the stakeholders are involved from the outset;
Amendment 318 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 18 18. Emphasises that the further development of RES will entail permanent landscape change in Europe ; points out that the only way to win public acceptance of RES infrastructures is through transparent planning, construction and licensing procedures, in which all the stakeholders are involved;
Amendment 319 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 18 18. Emphasises that the further development of RES will entail permanent landscape change in Europe; points out that the only way to win public acceptance of RES is through transparent and coordinated planning, construction and licensing procedures, in which all the stakeholders are involved from the early stages;
Amendment 32 #
Motion for a resolution Recital C C. whereas one of the aims of European Union energy policy – in a spirit of solidarity among the Member States, as part of the creation of the single market and in accordance with the need to
Amendment 320 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 18 18. Emphasises that the further development of RES will entail permanent landscape change in Europe; points out that the only way to win public acceptance of RES is through transparent planning, construction and licensing procedures, in which all the stakeholders are involved; stresses in this regard that public support is greater in projects in which citizens are cooperative stakeholders, and through cooperatives in particular, and therefore considers it important that civic participation in renewable energy projects be encouraged as best practice;
Amendment 321 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 18 18. Emphasises that the further development of RES will entail permanent landscape change in Europe; points out that the only way to win public acceptance of RES is through transparent planning, construction and licensing procedures, in which all the stakeholders are involved; highlights that where citizens own renewable production through cooperative or community owned models there is an increase in social acceptance, which is reducing planning time for implementation and promoting greater citizen understanding of the energy transition;
Amendment 322 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 18 18. Emphasises that the further development of RES will entail permanent landscape change in Europe; points out that the only way to win public acceptance of RES is through transparent planning, construction and licensing procedures, in which all the stakeholders are involved; stresses that the procedures must be transparent, simplified and more user- friendly for all users;
Amendment 323 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 18 18. Emphasises that the further development of RES will entail
Amendment 324 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 18 a (new) 18 a. Calls on the Commission and the Member States to pay more attention to the untapped potential of RES in the heating and cooling sector and to the interdependencies between and opportunities arising from increased renewable energy use on the one hand and the implementation of the Energy Efficiency and Buildings Directives on the other;
Amendment 325 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 18 a (new) 18 a. Emphasises that hydropower in all its forms helps achieve the objective of a renewable energy supply in future and, in addition to generating energy, serves a number of other useful purposes, including flood prevention and helping to ensure a safe supply of drinking water; calls on the Commission and the Member States to raise public awareness of the multiple benefits of hydropower;
Amendment 326 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 18 a (new) 18 a. Considers that attention should be paid to small-scale generation, in particular micro-generation, which entails electrical and heat generation technologies that can be installed and used in individual households, such as solar panels, small wind turbines and micro CHP;
Amendment 327 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 18 a (new) 18a. Points out that there are many renewable energy generation sites that are not being used to their intended capacity because the grid is unable to receive power generated in this way;
Amendment 328 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 18 a (new) 18 a. Notes that the Connection Europe Facility can play an important role in creating one single European Energy Market where current bottlenecks and hinders are replaced by competition, openness and cross-border infrastructure;
Amendment 329 #
Motion for a resolution Subheading 3 a (new) (before subheading "International cooperation and trade") Empowering consumers
Amendment 33 #
Motion for a resolution Recital C C. whereas one of the aims of European Union energy policy – in a spirit of solidarity among the Member States, as part of the creation of the single market and in accordance with the need to
Amendment 330 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 18 b (new) 18 b. Recognises the importance of small- scale RES for increasing the share of renewable energy sources; recognises that the deployment of small-scale RES represents an opportunity for single households, industries and communities to become energy producers, thus acquiring awareness of efficient ways to produce and consume energy; highlights the importance of microgeneration for increasing energy efficiency; emphasises that small-scale RES deployment can lead to substantial savings on the energy bills and to the creation of new business models and jobs;
Amendment 331 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 18 c (new) 18 c. Notes, in this regard, the importance of stimulating local cooperatives for renewable energy in increasing citizens participation, increasing accessibility of renewable energy and generating financial investments;
Amendment 332 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 18 d (new) 18 d. Stresses that a clever combination of small-scale RES, storage, demand side management and energy efficiency can lead to a decreased use of the local grids during peak load times, thus decreasing the overall investment costs borne by distribution system operators;
Amendment 333 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 18 e (new) 18 e. Notes that a prerequisite for efficient local consumption and production of energy, both from a prosumer and a distribution grid perspective, is the roll- out of smart meters and more in general of smart grids;
Amendment 334 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 18 f (new) 18 f. Stresses that the deployment potential of demand side management as a way to provide flexibility to the system is still largely untapped and that in the medium term demand side management should be implemented not only at industrial level, but also at small consumer and even household level;
Amendment 335 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 18 g (new) 18 g. Welcomes the Commission's announcement that it will issue a communication on energy technologies and innovation focusing on micro- generation; however emphasizes the need for a coherent European strategy on microgeneration which includes specific measures to stimulate small-scale RES, such as the reduction of legislative burdens and an exchange of best practices in the field of fiscal incentives;
Amendment 336 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 18 a (new) 18 a. Notes that it is particularly important for investors in renewable energy sources to engage with and build strong relationships with local communities, particularly in the ex ante phase;
Amendment 337 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 18 b (new) 18 b. Points out that in some regions, particularly in small communities and islands, the deployment of windmills and photovoltaic panels has been met by public opposition; underlines that windmills and photovoltaic panels are perceived to have an adverse effect on tourist industries as well as on the nature and form of countryside/island landscapes;
Amendment 338 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 19 19. Recognises that world markets for RES are growing and that this will have a positive impact on the European industry, job creation and on prices and on the further development of existing and new technologies globally and in the EU, if the investment framework and RES support remain predictable;
Amendment 339 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 19 19. Recognises that world markets for RES are growing and that this will have a positive impact on prices and on the further development of existing technologies as well as on the EU economy taken that the EU political and regulatory framework enables EU-based RES and clean-tech businesses to keep their competitive advantage vis-à-vis their global counterparts;
Amendment 34 #
Motion for a resolution Recital C C. whereas one of the aims of European
Amendment 340 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 19 19. Recognises that world markets for RES are growing and that this will have a positive impact on prices and on the further development of existing technologies; Acknowledges non-OECD countries as important trading partners in the future as they have a big RES potential because the development of RES is driven by security of supply;
Amendment 341 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 19 19. Recognises that world markets for RES are growing and that this will have a positive impact on prices and on the further development of existing technologies; stresses that European companies are important players in this sector;
Amendment 342 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 19 19. Recognises that world markets for RES are growing and that this will have a positive impact on prices and on the further development of existing technologies; stresses the importance of Europe continuing to lead this global trend;
Amendment 343 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 19 a (new) 19 a. Emphasizes the need for the EU to develop close scientific cooperation and a clear policy for research and innovation collaboration in the field of RES with international partners, particularly the BRICS countries;
Amendment 344 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 20 20. Emphasises that the unlawful distortion of competition on the market is unacceptable; calls on the Commission to bring ongoing competition proceedings to a conclusion as quickly as possible; emphasises that
Amendment 345 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 20 20. Emphasises that the unlawful distortion of competition on the market is unacceptable; calls on the Commission to bring ongoing
Amendment 346 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 20 20. Emphasises that the unlawful distortion of competition on the market is unacceptable, as it is only through fair competition that the EU can be assured in the long term of a reasonable level of prices for renewable energy technologies; calls on the Commission to bring ongoing competition proceedings to a conclusion as quickly as possible; emphasises that the best conditions for the growth of RES are offered by free global markets; underscores the need to do more to dismantle barriers to trade; calls on the Commission not to create any new obstacles to trade in finished products or components used in renewable energy technologies;
Amendment 347 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 20 20. Emphasises that the unlawful distortion of competition on the market is unacceptable; calls on the Commission to bring ongoing competition proceedings to a conclusion as quickly as possible; emphasises that the best conditions for the growth of RES are offered by free global markets; underscores the need to do more to dismantle barriers to trade; calls on the Commission not to create any new obstacles to trade in finished products or components used in renewable energy technologies; calls on the Commission to react to obstacles to trade in, and anti- competitive practices by, third countries in such a way as to safeguard fair competition;
Amendment 348 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 20 20. Emphasises that the unlawful distortion of competition on the market is unacceptable; calls on the Commission to bring ongoing competition proceedings to a conclusion as quickly as possible; emphasises that the best conditions for the growth of RES are offered by free global markets; underscores the need to do more to dismantle barriers to trade;
Amendment 349 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 20 20. Emphasises that the unlawful distortion of competition on the market is unacceptable; calls on the Commission to bring ongoing competition proceedings to a conclusion as quickly as possible; emphasises that the best conditions for the growth of RES are offered by free global markets; under
Amendment 35 #
Motion for a resolution Recital C C. whereas one of the aims of European Union energy policy – in a spirit of solidarity among the Member States, as part of the creation of the single market and in accordance with the need to conserve and improve the environment – is to promote the development of new and existing renewable energy sources;
Amendment 350 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 20 20. Emphasises that the unlawful distortion of competition on the market is unacceptable; calls on the Commission to bring ongoing competition proceedings to a conclusion as quickly as possible;
Amendment 351 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 20 20. Emphasises that the unlawful distortion of competition on the market is unacceptable; calls on the Commission to bring ongoing competition proceedings to a conclusion as quickly as possible; emphasises that the best conditions for the growth of RES are offered by free and open global markets; underscores the need to do more to dismantle barriers to trade; calls on the Commission not to create any new obstacles to trade in finished products or components used in renewable energy technologies;
Amendment 352 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 21 21. Underscores the need for closer
Amendment 353 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 21 21. Underscores the need for closer cooperation on energy policy with the EU's neighbouring countries
Amendment 354 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 21 21. Underscores the need for closer cooperation on renewable energy policy with the EU's neighbouring countries; emphasises that in all European countries as well as the Mediterranean region,
Amendment 355 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 21 21. Underscores the need for closer cooperation on energy policy with the EU's neighbouring countries; emphasises that in the Mediterranean region, in particular, there is great potential for electricity generation from RES; highlights the
Amendment 356 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 21 21. Underscores the need for closer cooperation on energy policy with the EU's neighbouring countries; emphasises that in the Mediterranean region, in particular, there is great potential for electricity generation from RES; highlights the potential of projects such as Desertec
Amendment 357 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 21 21. Underscores the need for closer cooperation on energy policy with the EU's neighbouring countries; emphasises that in the Mediterranean region, in particular, there is great potential for electricity
Amendment 358 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 21 21. Under
Amendment 359 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 21 a (new) 21 a. Calls for coordinated action with other technological leaders (US and Japan) to deal with emerging challenges, such as shortage of raw materials, rare earths, that affect the deployment of renewable energy technologies;
Amendment 36 #
Motion for a resolution Recital C Amendment 360 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 21 a (new) 21 a. Stresses that the objective of greater cooperation on energy policy, both within the EU and with neighbouring countries, can only be achieved by developing the necessary energy infrastructure;
Amendment 361 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 21 b (new) 21b. Stresses that, when concluding energy contracts with third countries, the Member States, in cooperation with the Commission, must ensure that they incorporate European policy objectives in terms of the development of renewable energies;
Amendment 363 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 21 a (new) (after subheading "Innovation and R&D") 21 a. Notes that the issues concerning renewable energy sources as well as energy efficiency are of great importance to SMEs.
Amendment 364 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 21 b (new) (after subheading "Innovation and R&D") 21 b. Calls on the Commission and Member States to change framework guidelines for companies that are SMEs to receive preferred status with subsidies and grants over large companies;
Amendment 365 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 22 22. Notes that Europe
Amendment 366 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 22 22. Notes that Europe is in the vanguard when it comes to RES technology;
Amendment 367 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 22 22. Notes that Europe is in the vanguard when it comes to RES technology; emphasises that this is particularly due to the contribution of SMEs; underscores the need to facilitate a competitive environment for the operations and internationalisation of SMEs and to strive to reduce bureaucratic obstacles; stresses that only innovation, based on R&D, can secure Europe’s leading position in RES technology markets;
Amendment 368 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 22 22. Notes that Europe is in the vanguard when it comes to RES technology; emphasises that this is particularly due to the contribution of SMEs; stresses that only innovation, based on R&D, can secure Europe's leading position in RES technology markets; stresses that, given the current lack of public R&D finance for renewable energy, the best way to promote innovation is to ensure long-term certainty for private investors;
Amendment 369 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 22 a (new) 22 a. Stresses that international cooperation needs to be based on a sound regulatory framework and the Union acquis on renewables, such as within the Energy Community, in order to increase the stability and reliability of such cooperation.
Amendment 37 #
Motion for a resolution Recital C a (new) C a. whereas the completion of the internal energy market by 2014 should facilitate new and more market participants, including from of a growing number of SMEs producing renewable energy;
Amendment 370 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 22 a (new) 22 a. Notes that the shift in sustainable scientific and technology innovation away from Europe to other parts of the world could eventually lead to the EU losing its technological forefront in the field of RES and turn it into a net importer of these technologies and related finished products; Emphasizes, in this direction, the importance of European added value for the development and domestic production of RES technologies and products;
Amendment 371 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 22 a (new) 22 a. Underlines that more than 500,000 jobs have been created in the renewable energy sector and that Europe's competitive advantage of a high-skilled labour force should be exploited in the future for safeguarding the current technological leadership and further employment creation;
Amendment 372 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 22 a (new) 22a. Stresses the importance of investment in research and development for new materials and electrical storage technologies;
Amendment 373 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 22 b (new) 22 b. Stresses that educational institutions capable of producing skilled labour force and the next generation of scientists and innovators in the area of RES technologies is a key priority; in this respect recalls the important role of Horizon 2020 and the European Institute of Innovation and Technology in bridging the gap between education, research and implementation in the renewable energy sector;
Amendment 374 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 22 b (new) 22 b. Underlines EU industry leadership on onshore wind technologies and the great potential of the European offshore wind industry to contribute to a re- industrialisation of the Member States bordering the Baltic and the North Seas;
Amendment 375 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 22 c (new) 22c. Attaches particular importance to cooperation between European patent- protection mechanisms in the field of renewables with a view to facilitating access to valuable and untapped intellectual property; stresses the need to activate as a matter of priority the projected European patent in the field of renewables;
Amendment 376 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 23 23. Is concerned that R&D has been neglected in certain branches of the renewable energy sector, e.g. in the PV sector, leading, in some cases, to commercial problems due to the lack of experience for economies of scale; therefore, calls on the Commission to integrate in its priorities via pilot projects, technology platforms or other programmes large scale (+2500 MW) projects for cell manufacturing PV units; underscores the need for investment in the further development of emerging and existing technologies such as mass production of integrated PV solutions, island solutions for rural areas based on microgrids driven by PV and other decentralised renewable energies as well as system integration between transport and energy, in order to sustain or achieve competitivity;
Amendment 377 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 23 23.
Amendment 378 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 23 23. Is concerned that R&D has been neglected in certain branches of the renewable energy sector, leading, in some cases, to commercial problems; underscores that alongside innovative new technologies is the need for investment in
Amendment 379 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 23 23. Is concerned that R&D has been neglected in certain branches of the renewable energy sector, leading, in some cases, to commercial problems; underscores the need for investment in the further development of existing technologies in order to sustain or achieve competitivity; emphasises that new technologies or new ideas about old technologies should be taken up and supported;
Amendment 38 #
Motion for a resolution Recital D D. whereas, under the terms of the EU Treaties, the choice of an energy mix falls within the competence of the Member States and the Commission's Energy Roadmap 2050 concludes that any scenario of Europe's energy system requires a substantially higher share of renewable energy;
Amendment 380 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 23 23. Is concerned that R&D has been neglected in certain branches of the renewable energy sector, leading, in some cases, to commercial problems; underscores the need for investment in the further development of existing technologies in order to sustain or achieve competitivity; emphasises investments in renewable energy R&D, particularly in the area of capacity, efficiency and reducing the spatial footprint;
Amendment 381 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 23 a (new) 23a. Calls on the Commission and the Member States not to discriminate against hydropower, with its proven technology, compared to other methods of renewable energy production and to take it fully into account, for example in connection with research into, and the development and demonstration of, variable-speed pumped storage, which offers a more flexible system of controlling storage speeds and so can be connected up to the grid more quickly and efficiently;
Amendment 382 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 23 a (new) 23 a. Believes that the SET Plan offers the opportunity to continue to boost and develop new and emerging RES, such as marine energy and also to address the challenges of balancing, intelligent energy solutions and storage;
Amendment 383 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 23 a (new) 23a. Calls on the Commission and Member States to invest in research based on the use of renewable energy with industrial applications, for example in the automobile sector;
Amendment 384 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 24 Amendment 385 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 24 24. Welcomes the Commission's announcement that it will issue a communication on energy technology policy in 2013; calls on the Commission to
Amendment 386 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 24 24. Welcomes the Commission’s announcement that it will issue a communication on energy technology policy in 2013; calls on the Commission not to discriminate against proven RES technologies which have been used for many years and to include a focus on storage technologies;
Amendment 387 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 24 24. Welcomes the Commission's announcement that it will issue a communication on energy technology policy in 2013; calls on the Commission to include a focus on technologies which improve the competitiveness of renewables and their integration in the energy system such as storage technologies;
Amendment 388 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 24 24. Welcomes the Commission's announcement that it will issue a communication on energy technology policy in 2013; calls on the Commission to include a focus on
Amendment 389 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 24 24. Welcomes the Commission's announcement that it will issue a communication on energy technology policy in 2013; calls on the Commission to include a focus on implementing the SET Plan, on renewable heating and cooling and storage technologies;
Amendment 39 #
Motion for a resolution Recital D D. whereas, under the terms of the EU Treaties, the
Amendment 390 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 24 24. Welcomes the Commission’s announcement that it will issue a
Amendment 391 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 24 24. Welcomes the Commission's announcement that it will issue a communication on energy technology policy in 2013; calls on the Commission to include a focus on heating and cooling and on storage technologies;
Amendment 392 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 24 a (new) 24 a. Notes that the Strategic Energy Technology (SET) Plan has led to the launch of renewable Industrial Initiatives, which have elaborated clear and detailed R&D roadmaps; insists on the importance of including other innovative renewable energy technologies such as marine and tidal and to finance such initiatives through dedicated budget lines created under the SET-Plan budget;
Amendment 393 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 24 b (new) 24 b. Calls on the European Commission to develop an industrial strategy for renewable energy, particularly for the wind sector, including the relevant actors (industry and government) at regional and local level; calls for such a strategy to build on the existing public and private commitments on technology innovation, supply chain bottlenecks and financing, so that the newly created economic opportunities are long-term and Europe maintains its global leadership in this sector;
Amendment 394 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 24 a (new) 24 a. Asks the Commission to submit an industrial strategy for renewable energies which covers the whole range of research and development activities, including funding, to ensure the European Union’s leading position in the field of renewable energies is maintained;
Amendment 395 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 24 a (new) 24 a. Underlines that research is key to the development and affordability of new and clean technologies; believes that the SET Plan can make important contributions towards making renewable technologies affordable and competitive;
Amendment 396 #
Motion for a resolution Subheading 6 A
Amendment 397 #
Motion for a resolution Subheading 6 Amendment 398 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 24 a (new) (after subheading "A European framework for the promotion of renewable energy") 24 a. Is of the opinion that a RES headline target should also form the basis of the EU's policy towards RES in the future;
Amendment 399 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 25 25. Emphasises that the Member States currently use almost 170 different types of promotion mechanism; points out that this support has lead to healthy growth but that in some
Amendment 4 #
Motion for a resolution Citation 4 a (new) - having regard to the Staff Working Document accompanying the proposal for Directive 2009/28/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 April 2009 on the promotion of the use of energy from renewable sources (SEC(2008) 57),
Amendment 40 #
Motion for a resolution Recital D D. whereas, under the terms of the EU Treaties, the choice of an energy mix falls within the competence of the Member States, although improved cooperation and communication are nevertheless essential;
Amendment 400 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 25 25. Emphasises that the Member States currently use almost 170 different types of promotion mechanism; points out that this support has lead to healthy growth but that some of the promotion systems
Amendment 401 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 25 25. Emphasises that the Member States currently use a
Amendment 402 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 25 25. Emphasises that the Member States currently use almost 170 different types of promotion mechanism; points out that this support has lead to healthy growth but that some of the promotion systems
Amendment 403 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 25 25. Emphasises that the Member States currently use almost 170 different types of promotion mechanism; points out that this support has le
Amendment 404 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 25 25. Emphasises that the Member States currently use almost 170 different types of promotion mechanism; points out that this support has lead to healthy growth but that some of the promotion systems are very costly and that, in some cases, a considerable financial burden has been placed on consumers without their having had a choice in the matter; notes that,
Amendment 405 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 25 25. Emphasises that the Member States currently use almost 170 different types of promotion mechanism; points out that this support has lead to healthy growth but that some of the promotion systems are very costly and that, in some cases, a considerable financial burden has been placed on consumers without their having had a choice in the matter; notes that, despite the subsidies, RES-E have managed to become competitive vis-à-vis conventional methods of energy production only in certain areas, e.g. where the geographical conditions favour them;
Amendment 406 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 25 25. Emphasises that the Member States currently use almost 170 different types of
Amendment 407 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 25 a (new) 25 a. Calls on Member States to keep on track on the road to meeting their 2020 targets; is concerned by abrupt changes in national support mechanisms for renewable energy, in particular by retroactive changes or freezes in support; calls on the Commission to carefully monitor the implementation of the Renewable Energy Directive and to take action if necessary; calls on Member States to provide stable frameworks for investment in renewable energy, including regularly reviewed support schemes and streamlined administrative procedures;
Amendment 408 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 25 a (new) 25 a. Criticises the current case of Spain with relation to support schemes, where RES have been wrongly made the scapegoat for high electricity prices, that are in fact due to national specificities and political choices such as subsidies and windfall profits for conventional power sources (obligation to use domestic coal, income for conventional technologies above pool prices, monopoly- like production structures), costs for electricity systems of the Spanish Islands, capacity payments and other costs, leading to a complete lack of transparency and level-playing field;
Amendment 409 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 25 b (new) 25 b. Notes that because many EU power plants will need to be decommissioned or upgraded in the coming 10 years, energy prices are set to rise no matter what the energy mix is; emphasises that some renewables such as onshore wind and solar PV are already competitive on costs compared to nuclear and CCS which makes them the most cost-effective option for decarbonisation; notes that increases in energy bills should first and foremost be tackled by energy efficiency and saving measures;
Amendment 41 #
Motion for a resolution Recital E E. whereas, as things stand at present,
Amendment 410 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 26 26. Emphasises that state influence has
Amendment 411 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 26 26. Emphasises that state influence has had the effect of making the price of electricity to consumers and industry in certain Member States relatively high; Points out that, in 2010, 22% of households in the EU were worried about being able to meet their electricity bills and assumes that the situation in this regard has since worsened; stresses that energy
Amendment 412 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 26 26. Emphasises that state influence has had the effect of making the price of electricity to consumers and industry in certain Member States
Amendment 413 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 26 26. Emphasises that
Amendment 414 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 26 26. Emphasises that state influence has had the effect of making the price of electricity to consumers and industry in certain Member States relatively high; points out that, in 2010, 22% of households in the EU were worried about being able to meet their electricity bills and assumes that the situation in this regard has since worsened; stresses that energy poverty must be prevented and that industry’s ability to compete must not be affected; emphasises here the role of renewable energy cooperatives which, through joint purchases or co-production, can reduce prices for citizens and thus tackle energy poverty; points also to the importance of these cooperatives in raising the awareness of their members about renewable energy and energy efficiency;
Amendment 415 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 26 26. Emphasises that factors such as increasing fossil fuel prices and state influence has had the effect of making the price of electricity to consumers and industry in certain Member States relatively high; Points out that, in 2010, 22% of households in the EU were worried about being able to meet their electricity bills and assumes that the situation in this regard has since worsened; stresses that energy poverty must be prevented and that industry's ability to compete must not be affected; underlines that energy efficiency policies focusing on the whole energy supply and demand chain, including transformation, transmission, distribution and supply, alongside industrial, building and household consumption can effectively help to reduce energy poverty; furthermore highlights that cooperatively owned renewable energy utilities can help bringing prices down for citizens, by developing and promoting 'smart consumers' through joint purchasing of energy and through educating their members about renewable energy and energy efficiency measures;
Amendment 416 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 26 26. Emphasises that state influence has had the effect of making the price of electricity to consumers and industry in certain Member States relatively high; Points out that, in 2010, 22% of households in the EU were worried about being able to meet their electricity bills and assumes that the situation in this regard has since worsened; stresses that energy poverty must be prevented through general welfare policy and not energy policy and that industry's ability to compete must not be affected;
Amendment 417 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 26 26. Emphasises that, although increased generation and input of RES have helped to bring down wholesale prices, state influence has had the effect of making the price of electricity to consumers and industry in certain Member States relatively high;
Amendment 418 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 26 26. Emphasises that state influence has had the effect of making the price of electricity to consumers and industry in certain Member States relatively high; Points out that, in 2010, 22% of households in the EU were worried about being able to meet their electricity bills and assumes that the situation in this regard has since worsened; stresses that energy poverty must be prevented and that industry's ability to compete must not be affected; underlines that cooperatively owned energy utilities can help bringing prices down for citizens, in order to combat energy poverty, by developing and promoting 'smart consumers' through joint purchasing of energy and through educating their members about renewable energy and energy efficiency measures;
Amendment 419 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 26 26. Emphasises that state influence
Amendment 42 #
Motion for a resolution Recital E E. whereas, as things stand at present, the EU is on track to achieve the target 20% share for RES in the energy mix by 2020, whereas continuous efforts are needed to achieve this target and to ensure a swift, effective and cost-efficient implementation of all energy and climate policies;
Amendment 420 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 26 a (new) 26 a. Criticizes that the existence of artificially low regulated energy prices in a large number of Member States has led to important tariff deficits for which renewable energy producers are now asked to pay, while conventional technologies often continue to be supported and are exempted from contributing;
Amendment 421 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 27 27. Warns that pitching support at too high a level has the effect of over-compensating and thus of slowing technological progress and impeding market integration because it reduces the incentive to develop more innovative and better-value products; Notes that over-compensation is often the consequence of poorly designed support mechanisms, unable to sufficiently adapt to the cost decrease path of a particular technology;
Amendment 422 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 27 27. Warns that pitching support at too high a level has the effect of over-compensating and thus of slowing technological progress and impeding market integration because it reduces the incentive to develop more innovative and better-value products; believes that moving as fast as possible towards schemes that expose producers to market price risk encourages technology competitiveness;
Amendment 423 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 27 27. Warns that pitching support at too high a level has the effect of over-compensating and thus of slowing technological progress and impeding market integration because it reduces the incentive to develop more innovative and better-value products; is convinced, therefore, that support should be mainly confined to the most commercially viable projects in order to speed up the process of turning RES into marketable products;
Amendment 424 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 27 27. Warns that pitching support at too high a level has the effect of over-compensating and thus of slowing technological progress and impeding market integration because it reduces the incentive to develop more innovative and better-value products; highlights that transparent regulatory frameworks and accelerated national permitting procedures are important pre- conditions of RES growth;
Amendment 425 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 27 27. Warns that pitching support at too high a level has the effect of over-compensating and thus of slowing technological progress and impeding market integration because it reduces the incentive to develop more innovative and better-value products; thus favours cost efficient support schemes, that are responsive to market signals.
Amendment 426 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 27 a (new) 27 a. Is convinced that the Commission should support Member States in identifying the most cost-effective RES and the way to best realise the potential; recalls that cost-optimal policies differ according to demand pattern, supply potential and economic context at local level;
Amendment 427 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 27 a (new) Amendment 428 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 27 a (new) 27 a. Calls on the Commission to ensure that the Renewables Directive — Directive 2009/28/EC — and the third internal energy market package are fully transposed into national law by the Member States so as to ensure that the necessary legal framework is in place to enable them to make further progress in the field of RES;
Amendment 429 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 27 b (new) 27b. Emphasises, on the basis of the impact assessment accompanying the Commission Communication and experience in connection with the climate and energy package, that an EU-wide mandatory target for the proportion of total energy consumption to be generated by RES should continue to be imposed after 2020 in order to ensure clarity and provide certainty for investors sufficiently far in advance and thereby encourage the further development of RES; insists that the EU-wide mandatory target for the proportion of total energy consumption to be generated by RES should be increased to at least 40-45% by 2030 and, furthermore, that this target must be met by mandatory RES development targets in the Member States;
Amendment 43 #
Motion for a resolution Recital E E. whereas, as things stand at present, the
Amendment 430 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 27 b (new) 27 b. Notes that bioenergy is expected to deliver over 50% of the EU's 2020 renewables target, according to member state projections; underlines, therefore, the need for robust sustainability criteria to guarantee the sustainability of biomass as a renewable energy source; emphasises that the forthcoming Commission proposal for biomass sustainability criteria must include correct carbon accounting to ensure real greenhouse gas savings are achieved; calls on the Commission to publish this proposal as quickly as possible; urges the Commission to address indirect land use change impacts by applying ILUC factors on biofuels and biomass in addition to reporting obligations;
Amendment 431 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 27 b (new) 27 b. Notes that authorisation, registration or planning procedures and changes to support schemes can contribute to increasing project risks leading to higher costs of capital. Emphasises that with current economic conditions and stressed capital markets, high costs of capital will considerably undermine the competitiveness of renewable energy projects. Calls on the European Commission to explore in greater detail innovative finance instruments and an increasing role of the European Investment Bank and national public institutions in financing renewable energy projects;
Amendment 432 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 27 c (new) 27 c. Calls on the Commission to propose a comprehensive liability regime for all new energy investments in the internal market ;
Amendment 433 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 28 Amendment 434 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 28 28.
Amendment 435 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 28 28. Welcomes the Commission's declared intention to draw up guidelines on good practice and the reform of national support
Amendment 436 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 28 28. Welcomes the Commission’s declared intention to draw up guidelines on good practice and the reform of national support arrangements; calls on the Commission to produce the guidelines as soon as possible but is convinced that these good-practice guidelines
Amendment 437 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 28 28. Welcomes the Commission's declared intention to draw up guidelines on good practice and the reform of national support arrangements; calls on the Commission to produce the guidelines as soon as possible
Amendment 438 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 28 28. Welcomes the Commission's declared intention to draw up guidelines on good practice and t
Amendment 439 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 28 28. Welcomes the Commission's declared
Amendment 44 #
Motion for a resolution Recital E E. whereas
Amendment 440 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 28 28. Welcomes the Commission's declared intention to draw up guidelines on good practice and the reform of national support arrangements; calls on the Commission to produce the guidelines as soon as possible but is convinced that good-practice guidelines are only a first step and that efforts need to be directed at
Amendment 441 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 28 28. Welcomes the Commission's declared intention to draw up guidelines on good practice and
Amendment 442 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 28 28.
Amendment 443 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 28 28. Welcomes the Commission's declared intention to draw up guidelines on good practice and the reform of national support arrangements in order to encourage predictability and cost effectiveness, avoid over-compensation and develop more consistency across Member States; calls on the Commission to produce the guidelines as soon as possible but is convinced that good-practice guidelines are only a first step and that efforts need to be directed at winding down the national support systems, although they must not be retrospectively amended or cancelled because that would send out disastrous signals to investors;
Amendment 444 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 28 28. Welcomes the Commission's declared intention to draw up guidelines on good practice and the reform of national support arrangements; calls on the Commission to
Amendment 445 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 28 28. Welcomes the Commission’s declared intention to draw up non-binding guidelines on good practice and the reform of national support arrangements; calls on the Commission to produce the guidelines as soon as possible but is convinced that good-practice guidelines are only a first step and that efforts need to be directed at gradually winding down the national support systems, although they must not be retrospectively amended or cancelled because that would send out disastrous signals to investors;
Amendment 446 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 28 a (new) 28 a. Believes that easier access to capital will further contribute to the competitiveness of renewable energy; recognises that long-term certainty and a 2030 target for renewable energy would be the best way to give investors the necessary confidence and reduce investor risk; invites the Commission to develop innovative finance instruments and give an increased role to the European Investment Bank, national financing institutions and long-term liability institutions such as pension funds and insurance companies in funding renewable energy projects;
Amendment 447 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 28 a (new) 28 a. Emphasises that compliance with the guidelines will be a first step towards ensuring greater convergence between European support arrangements for RES with a view to ensuring a technically optimal, safe and affordable energy supply and enhancing the EU’s competitiveness and capacity to innovate;
Amendment 448 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 28 a (new) 28 a. Calls on the Commission to present an action plan for renewable heating and cooling technologies providing an assessment of the EU heating and cooling demand as well as best-practice examples to support the sector;
Amendment 449 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 28 a (new) 28a. Notes that, in many Member States, RES already account for more than 20% of the energy market, while national rules on feed-in tariffs and preferential treatment are leading to distortions of competition;
Amendment 45 #
Motion for a resolution Recital E E. whereas
Amendment 450 #
Motion for a resolution Subheading 6 a (new) (after Paragraph 28) A post-2020 framework for renewable energy
Amendment 451 #
Motion for a resolution Subheading 6 a (new) (after Paragraph 28) Post 2020 European Framework for the promotion of Renewable Energy
Amendment 452 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 29 Amendment 453 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 29 Amendment 454 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 29 29. Is convinced that
Amendment 455 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 29 29. Is convinced that
Amendment 456 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 29 29.
Amendment 457 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 29 29. Is convinced that only an EU-wide system for promoting RES will offer the most cost-effective framework in which their full potential can be realised; sees decisive advantages in a technology- neutral European
Amendment 458 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 29 29. Is convinced that only an EU-wide system for promoting RES will offer the most cost-effective framework in which their full potential can be realised; sees decisive advantages in a technology- neutral European market for renewables
Amendment 459 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 29 29. Is convinced that only a
Amendment 46 #
Motion for a resolution Recital E a (new) Ea. whereas more intensive development in the area of RES at European level will generate a high degree of added value in that it will both help the EU to achieve its climate and energy objectives and to improve its energy supply security and consolidate the EU’s leading role in this area and boost competitiveness and employment in the European Union;
Amendment 460 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 29 29. Is convinced that
Amendment 461 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 29 29. Is convinced that
Amendment 462 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 29 29.
Amendment 463 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 29 29.
Amendment 464 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 29 29.
Amendment 465 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 29 29. Is convinced that only an EU-wide system for promoting RES will offer the most cost-effective framework in which their full potential can be realised; sees decisive advantages in a technology- neutral European market for renewables, in which producers will have to cover a pre- determined quota of their energy output from RES
Amendment 466 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 29 29.
Amendment 467 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 29 29. Is convinced that
Amendment 468 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 29 29. Is convinced that only an EU-wide system for promoting RES will offer the most cost-effective framework in which their full potential can be realised; sees
Amendment 469 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 29 29. Is convinced that only an EU-wide system for promoting RES will offer the most cost-effective framework in which their full potential can be realised; stresses, with a view to the differing potential in Europe for various RES technologies due to geographical conditions, the need to incentivise investment in RES where they have the biggest potential, in order to ensure an efficient use of public funding; sees decisive advantages in a technology- neutral European market for renewables, in which producers will have to cover a pre- determined quota of their energy output from RES, and in which one of the ways of reaching that quota will be through the trading of certificates on a market established for that purpose; notes the evidence of experience in the Member States that, in order to ensure quotas are met, heavy fines must be imposed for failure to meet them;
Amendment 47 #
Motion for a resolution Recital E a (new) Ea. whereas in recent years technological advances have been made in the area of energy generation from RES, and whereas the European Union is a world leader in this area;
Amendment 470 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 29 29. Is convinced that only an EU-wide system for promoting RES will offer the most cost-effective framework in which their full potential can be realised, but points out that the Member States and regions have their own strengths and that there needs to be a continuing aid policy at national level; sees decisive advantages in a technology-
Amendment 471 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 29 29. Is convinced that only an EU-wide system, including convergence between national support schemes for promoting RES, will offer the most cost-effective framework in which their full potential can be realised; sees decisive advantages in a technology-
Amendment 472 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 29 29. Is convinced that only an EU-wide system for promoting RES, integrated in a general effort towards decarbonisation in coordination with all other EU climate policy pillars, will offer the most cost- effective framework in which their full potential can be realised; sees decisive advantages in a technology-
Amendment 473 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 29 29. Is convinced that only an EU-wide system for promoting RES and other low- carbon technologies will offer the most cost-effective framework in which their full potential can be realised; sees decisive advantages in a technology-
Amendment 474 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 29 29. Is convinced that only an EU-wide system for promoting RES will offer the most cost-effective framework in which their full potential can be realised; sees decisive advantages in a technology- neutral European market for renewables, in which producers will have to cover a pre- determined quota of their energy output from RES, and in which one of the ways of reaching that quota will be through the trading of certificates on a market established for that purpose; this in turn will ensure the predictability and viability of the RES investments; notes the evidence of experience in the Member States that, in order to ensure quotas are met, heavy fines must be imposed for failure to meet them;
Amendment 475 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 29 a (new) 29 a. States that renewable energy targets have shown success in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving EU's security of supply and competitiveness; calls on the European Commission to deliver on the European Union's long-term climate commitment by proposing a binding EU target of at least 45% renewable energy by 2030;
Amendment 476 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 29 a (new) 29 a. Calls for national exemptions from the EU prohibition on state aid for renewable energies to be abolished in view of the distortions of the market which have arisen in countries where RES account for over 20% of the energy market; also takes a critical view of preferential feed-in arrangements for RES when their market share exceeds a certain level, which can have the effect of destabilising the grid and distorting competition;
Amendment 477 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 29 a (new) 29a. Is convinced that only an EU-wide differentiated approach to promoting renewable energy, including renewable energy projects in the hands of communities and cooperatives, will lead to the most cost-effective framework within which the full potential of renewable energy can be realised;
Amendment 478 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 29 a (new) 29 a. Calls on the Commission to develop an action plan for renewable heating and cooling assessing the EU heating and cooling demand and presenting best- practice examples to support the sector;
Amendment 479 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 29 a (new) 29 a. Sees decisive advantages in a European target of 20% for citizens- owned renewable energy production by 2020, given the benefits of community and cooperatively owned renewable schemes;
Amendment 48 #
Motion for a resolution Recital E a (new) E a. whereas Europe is a technological leader in renewable energy technologies, but pressure from the rest of the world is growing rapidly;
Amendment 480 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 29 a (new) 29a. Maintains that a transitional period is necessary in order to establish European support schemes;
Amendment 481 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 29 b (new) 29 b. Acknowledges that all scenarios explored in the Commission 'Energy Roadmap 2050' assume an increased share of renewable energy in the EU energy mix consumption of around 30% in 2030 and of at least 55% to 75% in 2050; notes, however, that none of them are based on a combined increase of a higher share of renewable energy and higher energy efficiency measures; stresses therefore that an ambitious energy efficiency and energy savings policy can lead to a higher share of renewables of up to 45% by 2030 and would allow the EU to move into a nearly full renewable economy by 2050;
Amendment 482 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 30 Amendment 483 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 30 Amendment 484 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 30 Amendment 485 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 30 Amendment 486 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 30 30.
Amendment 487 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 30 30. Calls on the Commission to
Amendment 488 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 30 30. Calls on the Commission to bring forward,
Amendment 489 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 30 30. Calls on the Commission to bring forward, without delay, a proposal for a
Amendment 49 #
Motion for a resolution Recital E a (new) E a. whereas the trajectory for meeting the 20% target as agreed in the Renewable Energy Directive gets steeper towards 2020;
Amendment 490 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 30 30. Calls on the Commission to bring forward, without delay, a proposal for a European
Amendment 491 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 30 30. Calls on the Commission to bring forward, without delay, a proposal for
Amendment 492 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 30 30. Calls on the Commission to bring forward,
Amendment 493 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 30 30. Calls on the Commission to bring
Amendment 494 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 30 a (new) 30 a. Calls for a review of the capacity payments envisaged or in place in some countries for conventional power stations to maintain baseload capacity, which may conflict with European competition rules; calls on Member States and energy producers, instead, to organise baseload groupings in cooperation with RES inside the internal market on the basis of free- market principles; asks the Commission to draw up a legal framework for the setting up of local groupings to secure baseload power;
Amendment 495 #
Motion for a resolution Paragraph 30 a (new) 30a. Points out that bioenergy is the main renewable energy source in the EU; considers it important that the Commission’s plans regarding sustainability criteria for solid biomass should not impede the use of sustainable bioenergy generated in the EU and Member States and that the possible criteria should be based primarily on existing legislation and inventory and monitoring tools; points out that when drawing up sustainability criteria for biomass, it is necessary to cover – in addition to ecological sustainability – other areas of sustainable development such as economic and social sustainabilty, and the corresponding effects of alternative energy sources also have to be considered; |