A binding renewable energy target for 2030 needs to be put in place today European ministers were told by the CEO of DONG Energy and conference chair of EWEA Offshore 2013 Mr Henrik Poulsen.
The energy projects coming online today will run for thirty years and so a binding target is essential in order to ensure the right choices are made Mr Poulsen said, speaking at the conference opening session. Offshore wind is a ‘no-regrets’ option for green growth, job creation and decarbonisation, he added.
“It has been the binding targets and not the malfunctioning ETS that has been the key driver for renewable investments in the 2020 package” Mr Poulsen stated.
EWEA CEO Thomas Becker, opening the conference, warned that changes to market and regulatory frameworks in a range of EU countries were putting investment in the sector at risk.
“Even in forward-thinking Germany, there is now a question mark raised over the support for offshore wind” Mr Becker said. “Likewise, a lack of political commitment and discussions on electricity market reform in another major market, the UK, are blurring long-term visibility. This is hampering investment decisions. There is an urgent need for policy stability, for political certainty and market clarity, for the direction and drive a 2030 binding target for renewables set at EU level would give.”
The call for a 2030 target from the two men followed a recent statement by the CEOs of eight companies calling for a “stand-alone, stable and predictable 2030 framework alongside an ambitious binding renewables target and an ambitious binding greenhouse gas reduction target and a robust CO2 price.” This would reduce costs, help Europe's competitiveness, bring down energy and electricity bills, and “help remove the need for renewable energy support in future” the statement argued.
Speakers in the panel at the conference included the secretaries of state for energy from Sweden and Belgium alongside the European Commission Director-General for Climate Action, the CEO of the Vestas-MHI Offshore Joint Venture and the Senior Vice President of Alstom Wind.
For additional information:
