The European Union has been extensively researching the advantages that renewable energy has given to the Member States, and what can be done to continue this success in the future.

The European Commission wishes to consult interested stakeholders as part of its preparation for the new renewable energy directive (REDII) for the period 2020-2030, foreseen before the end of 2016.  The consultation is open until 10^th February 2016.

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France has set ambitious energy saving targets in its new energy transition and green growth law (Loi n° 2015-992) passed by France’s lower chamber on 17 August. The law aims to cut the energy consumption of private homes in order to attain a 330-kilowatt hours per oil equivalent (by m² per year) in 2030. The energy transition law sets targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 40% by 2030 on 1990 levels and to increase the share of renewables in the energy mix to 32% by 2030. To achieve this, renewable energy will have to cover 40% of electricity production. 

The European Commission has released its much anticipated progress report on the Horizon 2020 renewable energy targets, which is published every two years on 16 June.In accordance with the requirements set out in the Renewable Energy Directive (Directive 2009/28/EC), the report provides a mid-term assessment of the progress of the EU and its Member States towards the 2020 renewable energy targets, and includes an assessment of the feasibility of 10% renewable energy target for transport, the sustainability of biofuels and bio liquids consumed in the EU and the impacts of this consumption in

The European Commission has approved changes to the Dutch renewable energy support scheme, which will now also subsidise co-firing of biomass in coal plants.

From next year, no subsidies will be paid for periods when the wholesale price is negative, according to the changes.

Spain’s electricity reform cut support to renewables producers by around 30% last year while other players in the electricity system emerged relatively unscathed, new data shows.

Renewables producers received around €5.24bn in 2014, according to data published last week by the Spanish competition commission (CNMC). This compares to the €7.5bn they would have received under the previous support regime, according to industry ministry projections.

Lack of power interconnections and badly located renewable energy capacity have cost the EU $140bn (€122bn), according to the World Economic Forum.

Low interconnection capacity and poor cooperation between countries on renewables cost $40bn, a report published during the forum’s annual meeting in Davos on Tuesday indicates.

Countries’ wish to maintain national sovereignty over energy policy and market problems such as generous solar incentives in Germany have led to suboptimal deployment of renewable energy resources, according to the study.

The EU Sustainable Energy Week (EUSEW) is a high profile conference dedicated to energy efficiency and renewable energy solutions. Since 2006 the Commission’s initiative has provided the opportunity for the general public, the private sector, public authorities, energy agencies, NGOs and other stakeholders to build alliances and share new ideas to help meet the EU’s energy and climate goals. EUSEW 2014 will take place in Brussels between 23 and 27 June 2014.

In its latest report on the state of renewable energies in Europe, consortium EurObserv’ER has found that the various renewable energies taken together covered 14 per cent of gross energy consumption in the EU in 2012. This is a 1.1 per cent increase from the previous year, which means that the EU has closed in on its current renewables target of 20 per cent by 2020.

The European Commission has announced an ocean energy action plan in European seas and oceans by 2020 and beyond. As part of the two-step action plan, the European Commission will set up an Ocean Energy Forum, a lead body to guide EU support for research and innovation in ocean energy.