Wind Energy - a Driving Force

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TheBioenergySite Latest News

Tuesday, April 01, 2008

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Wind Energy - a Driving Force

BRUSSELS - Of all renewable energy technologies, wind energy has delivered the most promising results in the EU for a number European Energy Commissioner, Andris Piebalgs told the European Wind Energy Conference.

Commissioner Andris Piebalgs

The total capacity in December 2007 was close to 57,000 MW - an increase og 8,500 MW on the previous year and this capacity accounts for nearly four per cent of EU power demand. In 2000, less than one per cent of EU electricity demand was met by wind power.

"Wind energy is now increasing more than any other power technology in Europe," he told the conference in Brussels.

On a global basis over 20,000 MW of wind power was installed in 2007, bringing world-wide installed capacity to almost 100,000 MW.

"There are several reasons why we must ensure that the growth trend in wind energy in Europe continues. Being a renewable and indigenous resource it has positive impacts on CO2 emission reductions and on security of supply as well as a positive impact on jobs, regional development and export opportunities," Commissioner Piebalgs said.

"We are well aware that if we want to keep this growth momentum, and even increase it, and to remain a world leader in wind energy, we have to secure a favourable framework for the development of wind in the European Union."

The commissioner added that the Climate and Renewable package, adopted by the Commission on the 23d of January, is the most recent step towards providing a framework that not only promotes wind energy but renewables and other low carbon technologies in general.

"The package proposals aim to strike a balance between ambitious climate targets and the competitiveness of European industries. It sets predictable long-term objectives for Governments and industry," he said.

"The 2020 commitments are an essential step on the road to our ultimate goal: to reduce global emissions by at least 50 per cent below 1990 levels by 2050. Nothing less will do if we are to limit global warming to 2°C above pre-industrial levels. This objective is the basic driver of our policies. After the Bali conference on climate change last year, we must now advance on the agreed agenda to combat climate change on all fronts, including adaptation, mitigation, clean technologies, deforestation and resource mobilisation."

The commissioner added: "It is clear that the 20 per cent RES target for EU by 2020 will require a substantial contribution from wind energy. In the context of the Renewable Energy Roadmap, presented last January, projections carried out for the Commission showed that the 20% share could be reached with a 34% share of renewable electricity consumption in electricity sector, including a 12 per cent share of wind in EUs electricity mix, of which 1/3rd could come from offshore installations."

The Commission's proposal of January aims to create the framework for an increase in renewable energy.

The five elements are:

The proposal lays down binding national targets for the share of renewable energy consumption in each Member State.
The proposal introduces new flexibility using "guarantees of origin". This mechanism allows much greater flexibility in providing support for renewable energy across Europe. In its simplest terms, it will allow Member States that do not have much sun or wind to still support the development of these technologies, and meet their target using 'potential' that might not be available domestically. This allows for a cheaper meeting of targets than would otherwise be possible.
The proposal requires Member States to establish National Action Plans with sectoral targets and measures to reach these targets, including national support measures.
The proposal introduces new requirements aimed at reducing obstacles to the development of renewable energy, such as requiring Member States to reduce over-burdensome administrative procedures, provide priority access to the grid system for renewable electricity, to develop grid infrastructure and to review the rules for sharing grid investment costs.
Finally, the proposal puts in place a sustainability scheme for the use of biofuels in transport, which I will not dwell on today as it is not relevant to the wind sector.

"I cannot emphasise strongly enough the importance of providing a long term and stable framework. You, the industry, must have the confidence to invest. In this context, I would like to congratulate some of the Member States in their recent efforts to improve the framework conditions for the development of wind energy, and offshore wind in particular," he said.

TheBioenergySite News Desk