European Commission publishes strategy for renewable energies beyond 2020
Federal Environment Minister Peter Altmaier has welcomed the European Commission's communication on its renewable energy policy for the period beyond 2020 that was published today. "With the EU strategy on the expansion of renewable energies beyond 2020 the European Commission has sent an important first signal for timely investment and stable conditions beyond 2020", Altmaier commented.
Mr Altmaier underlined that Europe would only fulfil its climate targets if all member states pushed ahead with the expansion of renewable energies. "The Energy Roadmap 2050, published in December, shows that we have to achieve a minimum share of 30 percent in renewable energies EU-wide, no matter what energy mix the individual member states use. We should act jointly and coordinate our actions to achieve this target so that the various approaches to energy policy in Europe work better together", he added.
Minister Altmaier also stressed the importance of coordination between EU and national support systems for renewable energies. "For the transformation of Germany's energy systems it is crucial that European and national policies work together well. For this reason it is right that the Commission is advocating better coordination of support policies of member states and enhanced cooperation between the member states. In this context, however, it is also important that member states are able to tailor support effectively to suit their national capacities and developments. An EU-wide uniform support system would forestall that possibility", Mr Altmaier said. Restructuring energy generation in Germany and Europe requires a steady and gradual adaptation of renewable energies, grids, storage and flexible power plants. "If we want to succeed we need to continue adapting the conditions in the member states and increase the market integration of renewable energies step by step," said Altmaier. "Ultimately, we need to optimise the coordination across Europe".