Renewable Energy Road Map - Renewable energies in the 21st century: building a more sustainable future

The Road Map sets out the Commissions long-term strategy for renewable energy in the European Union. The aim of this strategy is to enable the EU to meet the twin objectives of increasing security of energy supply and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. An assessment of the share of renewable energy in the energy mix and the progress made in the last 10 years shows that more and better use could be made of renewables. In accordance with Directive 2001/77/EC, all Member States have adopted national targets for the proportion of electricity consumption from renewable energy sources. If all Member States meet their national targets, 21% of total electricity consumption in the EU will be produced from renewable energy sources by 2010. Although some Member States are on track to meet their target, the majority of States appear to be behind schedule, and the EU will only manage to produce 19% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2010. Additional efforts are therefore required.

In 2005, the breakdown of renewable energy sources for electricity production in the EU was as follows:

* 66.1% from hydropower,

* 16.3% from wind power,

* 15.8% from biomass,

* 1.2% from geothermal energy and

* 0.3% from solar power (thermal and photovoltaic).

The 5.75% target for the contribution of biofuels to total fuel consumption by 2010, set on the basis of Directive 2003/30/EC , is unlikely to be met unless current policies are strengthened. Only two Member States met the intermediate target of 2% for the contribution of biofuels by 2005. In 2005, biodiesel accounted for 81.5% of total biofuel production in the EU, while bioethanol accounted for 18.5%. The Commission is of the opinion that the heating and cooling sector, which accounts for approximately 50% of final energy consumption, is insufficiently exploiting the potential of renewable energy sources, which contributed less than 10% of the energy used for heating or cooling in 2005.

The EU has not so far adopted any legislation with the direct aim of promoting heating or cooling from renewable sources.

 In the Road Map, the Commission proposes setting a mandatory target of 20% for renewable energys share of energy consumption in the EU by 2020 and a mandatory minimum target of 10% for biofuels. Each Member State will have to adopt mandatory targets and action plans in line with its potential. These action plans must include specific measures and objectives for the three following sectors: electricity, biofuels and heating and cooling. This flexible approach is designed to leave Member States sufficient room for manoeuvre.

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