Acht lidstaten achter met implementatie regels vernieuwbare energie (en)

In spite of an obligation to take the necessary measures to transpose Community legislation on renewable electricity into national law before October 2003, the European Commission had to launch legal proceedings against eight countries who failed to meet this deadline, today. The increase in the use of renewable energy figures as a top priority in the Commission's recently published Green Paper on a European Strategy for Sustainable, Competitive and Secure Energy.

"Europe should make full use of the potential offered by renewable energy sources. This aim will only be realised through a long-term commitment to develop and install renewable energy and through the active involvement of all Member States to promote the use of green energies" said Commissioner in charge of energy, Andris Piebalgs.

Amongst the Member States still not in compliance with Community legislation promoting renewable electricity in Europe, four (Italy, Poland, Czech Republic and United Kingdom) have failed to report their progress on the use of electricity from renewable energy sources to the Commission, while five (Italy, Latvia, Cyprus, Greece and Ireland) have taken insufficient measures to enable an adequate promotion of renewable energies. The legislation on renewable electricity[1] requires Member States to implement legislation, administrative provisions and measures - fair grid access and a guarantee of origin - to enhance the use of renewable electricity.

The Commission has thus initiated the first stage of the infringement procedure with a letter of formal notice. The Member States concerned can subsequently submit their observations to the Commission within two months. The Commission may then decide to start the second stage of the procedure by sending them a reasoned opinion on the basis of these observations, while the last would mean taking the countries to the European Court of Justice.

The aim of the Directive is to promote the use of electricity from renewable energy sources. The Directive sets a target of 21% for the share of electricity from renewable energy sources in total European electricity consumption by 2010 - the current share stands at 14%. Member States are required to set national targets and to put in place the appropriate measures to achieve the European target.