EU states could abandon 45% renewables target for a lower one - report

EU member states are considering lowering the 45% renewables target for 2030 as proposed in the REPowerEU plan to wean Europe from its dependence on Russia’s fossil fuels, news network Euractiv reported on Thursday citing a document it had seen.

The renewables share in Europe’s 2030 energy mix would come down to 40% following amendments made by EU countries to the European Commission’s REPowerEU plan, according to Euractiv’s report.

The 40% target was included in the Commission’s emissions reduction package Fit for 55 in 2021, and agreed on by the EU Energy Council in June this year. It meant an improvement from 32% that EU states had to reach as a collective through the implementation of their 2030 National Energy and Climate Plans (NECPs).

Other amendments could throw more challenges at plans for an accelerated renewables development in Europe as the continent tries to deal with one energy crisis after another following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. According to Euractiv’s reporting, these amendments could wipe out attempts to incorporate the principle that renewables should be protected against legal challenges, which have stalled wind farm construction in some countries, and prolong the period it takes to finalise permitting for renewable energy projects.

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