EU parliament backs renewable energy road map

STRASBOURG: Parliament’s adoption of the road map for renewable energy in Europe has been welcomed by rapporteur Britta Thomsen.

The Socialist MEP said that the impressive majority sent a clear message to both the commission and the council that ambitious renewable energy targets must now be met.

“We now have to stand by these targets,” she told journalists Tuesday afternoon.

“I hope to receive national action plans from the commission shortly.”

Thomsen also stressed the importance of the report’s emphasis on the role of structural and cohesive funds in encouraging new member states to invest in renewables.

I think this report is also in line with the Lisbon strategy, she said.

“According to the commission, demand for renewable energy will require huge investment, and 500,000 jobs could be created in this sector alone.”

The approved proposal includes an overall binding 20 per cent renewable energy target and a binding minimum target of 10 per cent for transport biofuels for the EU by 2020.

The commission put forward its initial proposal for a long-term renewable energy roadmap in January as part of its energy policy for Europe.

Thomsen said that she hopes recommendations from her report would now be included in the commission final report, due on 5 December.

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