Several EU member states need to reconsider the level of ambition for renewable energy in their National Energy and Climate Plans in order for the bloc to reach the 32% clean power target by 2030, according to the European Commission.
The commission said in recommendations to the member states based on an assessment of countries’ draft plans that the current proposals would only deliver between 30.4% and 31.9% of renewables by 2030.
The plans lack informed policies and measures to scale up renewables, provide energy savings and phase out fossil fuel subsidies, it added.
Commenting on the recommendations WindEurope chief executive Giles Dickson said: “The message from the European Commission is clear: failing to plan is planning to fail.”
According to Dickson the draft plans will not get Europe to 32% renewables by 2030 and are badly lacking when it comes to specific policy measures.
He said: “The commission’s recommendations highlight the areas where countries need to step up their game, such as permitting, electrification, corporate power purchase agreements, and the repowering of existing wind farms.”
Also missing from the draft NECPs are concrete plans to implement a “just transition” in order to support the regions and communities affected by the change to a low-carbon economy.
EU countries have until the end of 2019 to finalise the plans and incorporate the commission’s recommendations to improve them.
The plans should set clear pathways to shift away from fossil fuels and promote the rapid development of sustainable energy at the scale needed to steep emissions cuts as soon as possible.
The commission expects member states to see the current EU’s 2030 climate and energy targets as a baseline that they must overshoot in order to allow the bloc to stick to its engagement under the Paris Agreement to limit temperature rise to 1.5°C.
The recommendations address some major shortcomings, which Climate Action Network (CAN) Europe had also identified in its reports ‘Time to pick up the pace: Insights into the draft national energy and climate plans’ and ‘Just transition or just talk?’
CAN Europe director Wendel Trio said: “Planning for the future we want starts today. In the next months EU member states must implement the recommendations from the commission and set out concrete pathways to reduce emissions and transform their energy systems in line with the Paris Agreement.
“The more decarbonised European economies get by 2030, the more likely the EU will be able to achieve net-zero emissions and thus prevent dangerous climate change.”
Dickson added: “Member states now know what they’ve to do – ramp up the ambition and fill in all the policy gaps. The Commission needs to stay on their backs and make sure they get it right.”
The NECPs are a once in ten-year opportunity to send the right investment signals, according to Dickson with EU citizens showing strong support for a more sustainable economy in the recent European elections.
He said: “Detailed, ambitious and clear Plans will encourage the renewables industries to invest. The wind industry alone employs 300,000 people in Europe, is a major European exporter and brings investment to local communities.”