EPP Group aims for higher renewables targets to ditch Russian gas

"The Russian invasion of Ukraine calls for a reshaping of our European energy policy. We need now an accelerated expansion of renewable sources of energy to bring about energy autonomy and security in Europe”, declared the European Parliament Rapporteur for renewable energy, Markus Pieper MEP.

“This war is having and will continue to have an impact on energy security and prices in Europe, at least in the medium-term. We need to raise our targets for renewables and reach them faster. Therefore, I propose increasing the target to 45%, subject to confirmation by impact assessments by the European Parliament and the European Commission. This is the only way we can become more independent and show Putin that we can do without him", declared Pieper during a debate in the European Parliament’s Industry, Research and Energy Committee on the new Renewable Energy Directive (RED), against the backdrop of the Russian aggression against Ukraine and the democratic world.

In July 2021, the Commission proposed increasing the share of renewable energies in energy consumption from 32% (RED) to 40% (RED 3) by 2030. These targets should ensure Europe's contribution to the Paris climate agreement and climate neutrality for 2050.

“The Russian war against Ukraine is now forcing us to focus even more on our strategic autonomy apart from climate change”, said Pieper.

In the Report, he makes clear that the deployment of energy from renewable sources and the related grid infrastructure (including investments in energy security), is in the public interest and serves public safety. "Public interest means faster permitting processes and emergency plans", Pieper concluded.

You can follow the committee meeting here.