Brussels – Despite pressure from the European Parliament which has called for a target of at least 30% renewable energy usage by 2030 (with a preferred target of 35%), EU governments have maintained 27% as their upper ambition, according to their draft position on the updated renewable energy directive.
The draft keeps proposals for a 1% annual increase in the share of renewables used in heating and cooling, except for countries already at 60% or higher. For road and rail transport, the document suggest that the Council will push for a reduction in food-based biofuels from 7% of final energy consumption in 2021 to 3.8% by 2030, though this is not final.
However, it seems the Council is aiming to change the timing of national climate and energy plans, moving the deadline from 1 January 2018 to 1 April 2019. The position paper would also give member states greater political cover should they seek to resist implementing recommendations from the Commission, stating that states would have to play ‘due’ – rather than ‘utmost’ – account of such recommendations.
Click here to access the draft position on the recast Renewable Energy Directive.