MEPs approve 35% renewable energy target by 2030

The European Parliament's Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE) voted on Tuesday to back an EU renewable energy target of at least 35% by 2030.

This is up from the European Commission's proposed target of 27%.

In a separate vote on Tuesday, the committee agreed a binding target to reduce EU energy consumption by 40% by 2030, which is more ambitious than the Commission's proposal for a 30% reduction.

The two resolutions will be voted on by the full Parliament in January to allow Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) to start negotiations with EU governments. The Council of the EU will define its stance on the Commission's proposals for a Renewables Directive and Governance Regulation at the Energy Council meeting on December 18.

WindEurope chief executive Giles Dickson said a 35% renewables target is not only affordable but economically desirable and welcomed the move by the committee to adopt a five-year upfront schedule for public support to renewables. "Knowing what the volume, timing and budget of renewable energy auctions is going to be helps the industry plan its investments in the supply chain," he said.

The committee's legislative proposals also include steps to promote renewable self-consumption. For the transport sector, MEPs say that at least 12% of each member state's energy consumption should come from renewables.

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