Renewable Energy Solar Energy Wind Energy Geothermal Energy Bioenergy Hydropower

European Commission Projects 80% Renewable Energy by 2050

November 17, 2009 | 4 Comments

Do you like this news?

Bookmark

Feed

Brussels, Belgium [RenewableEnergyWorld.com] More than 550 high-level political decision makers at EU, national and regional level, representatives of the renewable energy industry, NGOs and scientists gathered in Brussels for the 3rd European Renewable Energy Policy Conference, organized by EREC as an official event of the Swedish EU Presidency.

"Renewable energy is the competitive advantage of Europe and the key to a sustainable 21st century economy. We have to make renewable energy the mainstream source of our energy system."

-- Prof. Arthouros Zervos, President, EREC

The conference showed a broad consensus that renewable energy will be the mainstream source of Europe's energy supply by 2050.

“I am confident that the policy framework of renewable energy targets, carbon pricing and funding for R&D will lead to the development of a tremendously significant new energy sector," said Deputy Head of Cabinet Peter Vis delivering the speech to the event

Looking at 2050, Christopher Jones, Director for New & Renewable Energy Sources at the European Commission, referred to a share of 80% renewable energy in final energy consumption in Europe. The Commission’s views were echoed by several Members of European Parliament present as well as by the industry.

“Already today the European Renewable Energy Industry is providing more than 450.000 jobs and has an annual turnover exceeding €45 billion. Renewable energy already contributes to one-quarter of the EU’s 20% greenhouse gas commitment and has reached a share of about 10% in final energy consumption. I am convinced that the new Renewable Energy Directive with its national binding targets for each of the 27-EU Member States will enable Europe to reach even more than the minimum target of 20% by 2020. Renewable energy is the competitive advantage of Europe and the key to a sustainable 21st century economy. We have to make renewable energy the mainstream source of our energy system," said Prof. Arthouros Zervos, EREC’s president.

Bioenergy, Geothermal Energy, Hydropower, Ocean Energy, Solar Energy, Wind Power

4 Reader Comments

Comment
1 of 4

mike-holly-17241

November 18, 2009

The Euro pols promising 80% renewables won't even be around in 41 years. They likely won't even be in office 11 years from now to prove they really reached 20%. Moreover, if the EU does reach these goals it will likely either be at the expense of their living standards or they will be buying Chinese because the EU has no risk capital market to spur innovation.

Comment
2 of 4

harry-peaceonwind

November 18, 2009

Having had an inside view both in technological and political development around renewables in the Europe as well as in the US I would like to summarize certain milestones in renewable energy which do give hope for EU targets to 2050.
German policy for the Photovoltaics and Large Scale Wind with FiTs gave strong results; both for increasing renewable energy quotes and for development of the industry. The US has moved towards stronger incentives. At the current stage strong policy in the UK with launching innovative Feed-in Tariffs in April 2010 is going to result in tremendous growth
http://peaceonwind.com/wind_turbine_100_kw_and_feed-in_tariffs_6.5m-s.net.pdf
In order to reach the goals bold political decisions are needed like in the UK case.
We can still reach a global sustainable development.

Comment
3 of 4

simpsonm

November 18, 2009

Where are the details of the plan? For instance what incentives, policy , and technologies that will be used to reach the goal. I agree with the first comment, that this politician will probably be long gone in a few years; and the next guy will be stuck with some unattainable goal. I am extremely skeptical when a politician proposes an appeasing plan like 80% renewable without any details about how the plan will be implemented.

Comment
4 of 4

gary-mccallum-153526

November 18, 2009

As Europe marches on developing the worlds most energy dynamic and renewable infastructure it is entertaining to see the presumtuous na sayers gloat about how such lofty goals are unattainable. It is obvious that some anil individuals will not give such prospects any credence unless every kilowatt has been planed and budgeted for but it is forty years away. Judging by the progress made to date and the fact that many European Nations have met their Kyoto protocol requirements my bets are on European success.
Enter the year 2050 oil is $300 a barrel the US has drained all its aquafers and cant produce the agriculture products it did before, no one can afford to heat and cool their 15,000 sq. ft. Mcmansions and the world won't buy their crappy cars, desertification has made the mid west uninhabitable and congress is still debating global warming. But fear not for all of the risk capital market's money has gone towards ass butt backed securities and they can sell those for ten cents on the dollar to promote some good old american engenuity to try and catch up with the rest of the world. All this thanks to those insitefull politicans whose far reaching projections went as far as four years

Add Your Comment

Registered users, please make sure to Sign-In. We and others want to know your ideas and opinions. If you are not yet Registered -- it's quick and easy. Just click below.
Thanks!