The European Commission has welcomed the adoption of several key files (approval of the last half of the eight legislative proposals) of the 2016 Clean Energy for All Europeans package by the European Parliament. They include in particular new rules on renewable energies, energy efficiency and the implementation of the clean energy transition objectives. Following this approval, the Council of Ministers will now finalise its formal approval in the coming weeks and the new legislation will enter into force shortly afterwards.
The Clean Energy for All Europeans package sets two new targets for the EU in 2030: a binding renewable energy target of at least 32% and an energy efficiency target of at least 32.5%, both of which include a review clause by 2023 for an upward revision. It also aims at improving the design and stability of support schemes for renewables, streamlining administrative procedures, establishing a clear and stable regulatory framework on self-consumption, raising the targets for the transport and heating/cooling sectors and improving the sustainability of the use of bioenergy.
The Clean Energy for All Europeans package will also extend the annual energy saving obligation beyond 2020 to attract private investments and support the emergence of new market actors. It will strengthen rules on individual metering and billing of thermal energy. The new package also calls for each Member State to prepare a national energy and climate plan for the period 2021 to 2030, and aligns the frequency and timing of reporting obligations and with the Paris Climate Agreement.
The European Commission estimates that when these policies will be fully implemented, they will lead to steeper emission reductions for the whole EU than forecast previously and reach roughly 45% by 2030 compared to 1990, instead of 40%.