The ongoing energy crisis and its related challenges of energy security concerns and high energy prices have put the spotlight on the EU’s domestic production and use of energy in general and renewables in particular.
On 14 July 2021 the European Commission adopted the ‘fit for 55’ package, which adapts existing climate and energy legislation to meet the new EU objective of a minimum 55 % reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2030. The ‘fit for 55’ package is part of the European Green Deal, which aims to put the EU firmly on the path towards climate neutrality by 2050
A key element in the ‘fit for 55’ package is the revision of the Renewable EnergyDirective (REDII), to help the EU deliver the new 55 % GHG target. Under REDII, the EU is obliged to ensure at least 32% of its energy consumption comes from renewable energy sources (RES) by 2030. The revised REDII strengthens these provisions and sets a new EU target of a minimum 40 % share of renewable energy sources (RES) in final energy consumption by 2030, accompanied by new sectoral targets. As part of the REPowerEU plan (May 2022), the Commission proposed to further raise this RES target to a 45 % share by 2030
Renewable energy has grown in importance in the EU in the light of new climate goals and energy security needs. In the European Parliament, the file was referred to the Committee onIndustry, Research and Energy (ITRE), with the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety as associated committee under Rule 57. The trilogue negotiations were concluded on 30 March 2023 with a provisional agreement raising the share of renewables to 42.5% by 2030.
🔎 Dig deeper into the renewable energy in the EU with our publications:
• Renewable Energy Directive: https://www.europarl.europa.eu/thinktank/en/document/EPRS_ATA(2023)751443
• Renewable energy in the EU: https://www.europarl.europa.eu/thinktank/en/document/EPRS_ATA(2023)745693
• Renewable Energy Directive: https://www.europarl.europa.eu/thinktank/en/document/EPRS_BRI(2021)662619
📲 Find all our publications on our EPRS app:
• iOS: http://epyoutube.eu/q57W
• Android: http://epyoutube.eu/q57X
CONTENT
00:00 EU energy setup
00:21 Renewable energy in EU Member States
00:45 What is renewable energy?
01:31 Benefits of renewable energy
01:47 New EU targets
02:14 Challenges
02:47 Outro