News

Energy Commissioner EU, Günther Oettinger, yesterday called "not correct" the cuts retroactive premiums to renewable energy producers because "they can have a negative influence on the production of energy." The German commissioner said that "in Spain and the Czech Republic there have been discussions in Parliament on retroactive changes to help the budget, but we believe that this is not right." Renewable energy are wind, solar, hydro, biomass and produced with the tide, basically.

European Commissioner statements are an important support for the associations of the PV industry in Spain, totaling more than 54,000 installations and criticize the decree adopted by industry to cut premiums by sector at 740 million per year until 2013. According to the associations, the cut is retroactive, which denies the Ministry of Industry.

Brussels yesterday presented its Communication on progress in the implementation of renewable energy to make this type of energy representing 20% in 2020. The Challenges of EU Energy are the focus of the forthcoming European Council called for the next day 4. However, discussions on the new responsibilities and size of the European rescue fund could eventually dominate the Council.

The commissioner stressed the need to maintain the conditions promised to investors in this type of investment. "If someone builds a wind power plant," he said, "should know how much time you will receive the grant, how long will have an advantage in the network and at what price you will pay for electricity." In his opinion, "this is critical to security planning."

In its communication, Brussels calls on Member States to double its annual investments in renewable energy of 35,000 billion per annum to 70,000. "We must invest more in renewable energy," Oettinger said, "and we need intelligent financial instruments and economically advantageous." In his view, "if the Member States cooperating to produce energy from renewable sources in less expensive places, companies and consumers will benefit.".

The Commission warned yesterday that electricity production in just seven countries (Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Netherlands and Sweden) had achieved its targets for renewables in 2010. In electricity generation throughout the EU only has generated from renewables to 18% of production, below the target of 21%.

In the transport sector, the EU reached in 2010, 5.1% in renewables also below the target of 5.75%. In this case they succeeded Austria, France, Germany, Hungary, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia and Sweden. Spain has made some progress in generating electricity, but very few in the transport sector.

The Communication stresses the importance of cooperation among member states so that through market integration, renewable energy and associated technologies are competitive in the shortest time possible. Brussels estimated at 10,000 million annual savings if they achieve an efficient cooperation between States. During the period 2007 -2009 the EU has contributed 9,800 million euros to finance renewable energy.

Andreu Missé (Bruselas - 01/02/2011)