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- European Commission
- Energy
- Renewable Energy
Renewable Energy
What do we want to achieve ?
Renewable sources of energy – wind power, solar power (thermal, photovoltaic and concentrated), hydro-electric power, tidal power, geothermal energy and biomass – are essential alternatives to fossil fuels. Their use reduces our greenhouse gas emissions, diversifies our energy supply and reduces our dependence on unreliable and volatile fossil fuel markets (in particular oil and gas). The growth of renewable energy sources also stimulates employment in Europe, the creation of new technologies and improves our trade balance.
The Commission's report on recent progress can be found here.
The new Directive on renewable energy sets ambitious targets for all Member States, such that the EU will reach a 20% share of energy from renewable sources by 2020 and a 10% share of renewable energy specifically in the transport sector. It also improves the legal framework for promoting renewable electricity, requires national action plans that establish pathways for the development of renewable energy sources including bioenergy, creates cooperation mechanisms to help achieve the targets cost effectively and establishes the sustainability criteria for biofuels. The new Directive should be implemented by Member States by December 2010. Related documents can be found here and the first steps in implementation are indicated on the transparency platform, including the template for the national renewable energy action plans 
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Focus on...
Call for proposals
Call for proposals to aid economic recovery by granting Community financial assistance to projects in the field of energy (deadline: 15/07/2009)
Discover energy efficiency and renewable energy actions
Daily news
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What’s new
- 09/11/2009 - Climate Star Awards awarded to several CONCERTO communities
- 29/09/2009 - Studies: European photovoltaic actions and programmes 2009
- 24/09/2009 - EU-AGRO-BIOGAS Symposium 2009 on 25-26/11/2009
- 02/09/2009 - New publication on Photovoltaic solar energy - Development and current research
- 28/08/2009 - Call for tenders: Impact of the use of biofuels on oil refining and fuels specifications (deadline 8/10/2009)
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