We welcome that the European Council adopted a new Renewable Energy to raise the share of renewable energy in the EU’s overall energy consumption to 42.5% by 2030 with an additional 2.5% indicative top up to allow the target of 45% to be achieved. Each member state will contribute to this common target.
It sets specific targets for sectors such as transport, industry, buildings and heating and cooling to accelerate the penetration of renewables.
- In the field of transport, member states can choose between reducing greenhouse gas intensity by 14.5%, through the use of renewable energy by 2030, or reaching at least 29% of renewable energy in transport energy consumption.
- In the industrial field, an obligation is established to increase the use of renewable energy annually by 1.6%, and targets are set for the use of renewable hydrogen.
- In the buildings field, an indicative target of at least 49% renewable energy in buildings by 2030 is set, enshrining a gradual increase for heating and cooling targets.
The directive also strengthens sustainability criteria for the use of biomass and accelerates permitting procedures for renewable energy projects.
The new directive will amend the current directive and the changes will become legally binding eighteen months after its entry into force.
_____________________
