Renewable Energies: nothing is impossible

The EPP Group secured a booster for the expansion of renewable energies in the EU. Today, the European Parliament approved the new Renewable Energy Directive which will set the framework for a faster, more ambitious, less bureaucratic and more innovative expansion of renewables in the EU.

"With this new Directive, we don't just say higher, faster, further. With this Directive, we also say how. We provide the proof that we, as the European Union, can be un-bureaucratic and pragmatic. We are improving the speed and flexibility of approval procedures, we are introducing the concept of ‘positive silence’ for automatic approval if licensing authorities are too slow, and besides the obvious focus on wind and solar, we are also providing for hydropower, geothermal energy, tidal currents and biomass. It is particularly important that biomass from wood remains classified as renewable energy", explained Markus Pieper MEP, who negotiated the law on behalf of the European Parliament.

Pieper highlights that the Directive is open for new technologies, as it asks Member States to include projects above state of the art technology: "I am looking forward to seeing pilot projects for floating solar cells, wind kites, run-of-river power plants or other projects we cannot imagine yet. Nothing is impossible with this Directive, and that is a very positive signal from Brussels and Strasbourg. It will also be good for energy prices."

The Renewable Energy Directive is one of the key components of the EU's Green Deal to make Europe climate neutral by 2050. "The job for a transformation of our energy system is not done yet. In particular we need hydrogen in all its forms. My urgent request goes to all colleagues in the European Parliament: if you think the rainbow is great, please also accept its colours for hydrogen", Pieper concluded.