EU agreement to double share of renewables by 2030

The text enshrines biomass as "green" (wood burned to produce energy), to the chagrin of environmental NGOs concerned about the impact on forests, and takes into account the role of nuclear power to produce carbon-free hydrogen, a bone of contention between the Twenty-Seven.

The agreement, reached after a night of final talks, sets the binding target of at least 42.5% renewable energy in European consumption by 2030, a near doubling of the current level of about 22% (19% in France). It is accompanied by an "indicative" target level of 45% that States will strive to achieve.

"Renewables will contribute to our energy sovereignty by reducing fossil imports" and reduce bills, Commission Vice-President Frans Timmermans said.

The NGO European Environmental Bureau, however, regretted a "weak and exceeded" target, while "modelled scenarios show that 50% are possible and recommended to comply with the Paris Agreement".

Indeed, the EU is already on the right track.

After doubling since 2004, the share of renewables is, "under current conditions", on track to reach 45% by 2030, or even 50% "in case of increased support", estimated at the end of February the firm Ember, noting in particular the exponential growth of solar.

Simplified procedures

The text speeds up permit procedures, with the establishment of "dedicated zones" where national authorities will be required to approve new renewable energy installations within a maximum of 18 months (limited to 27 months outside).

A sheep grazes in front of the solar panels of an agrivoltaic field near Verneuil, Nièvre, October 17, 2022 © JEFF PACHOUD / AFP/Archives

The EU foresees 49% renewables in the energy consumption of buildings, with a gradual greening trajectory for heating and cooling.

In transport, by 2030 States will either have to reduce greenhouse gas intensity by 14.5% thanks to renewables, or reach 29% of renewables in the final energy consumption of the sector.

A binding target is set for the use of "advanced biofuels" (derived from non-food materials) or "non-biological renewable fuels" (hydrogen, synthetic fuels).

"Specific status" of nuclear power

Industrialists, for their part, will have to inflate their use of renewables by 1.6% per year. In each country, the share of renewable hydrogen in the hydrogen used by industry will have to reach 42% by 2030.

However, the Swedish EU Presidency, which was negotiating on behalf of the states, managed to relax the target for countries with a nuclear fleet that can produce carbon-free hydrogen.

The issue tore the Twenty-Seven apart: the France and its allies demanded equal treatment between renewable hydrogen and "low carbon" – a red line for several countries (Germany, Austria, Luxembourg, Spain ...), which refused to encourage nuclear power in a text devoted to green energies at the risk of slowing down investment in renewables.

The Golfech nuclear power plant in southwestern France, February 9, 2023 © Matthieu RONDEL / AFP/Archives

Finally, the agreement reached provides that the 2030 renewable hydrogen target can be reduced by 20% for States where the "fossil" share of hydrogen consumption will be less than 23%.

"The France will not be obliged to build renewable energy to make hydrogen for industry and transport, but will be able to use nuclear power", which is granted "a specific status, neither green nor fossil", observes MEP Pascal Canfin (Renew, centrists).

Enough to satisfy both Paris and countries refusing any formal equivalence between atoms and green energies.

"This agreement recognizes the role of nuclear power in achieving our decarbonisation objectives, an important step forward in principle," said French Minister Agnès Pannier-Runacher.

This flexibility will apply provided that the country fulfils its mandatory contribution to the overall target of 42.5% renewables in the EU, insists MEP Markus Pieper (EPP, right), rapporteur of the text.

-Biomass-

The agreement maintains the "renewable" status of bioenergy, but strengthens the "sustainability" criteria for biomass, whose sources will be ranked according to their "economic and environmental added value". Certain forest areas will be excluded, public aid more restricted.

Fiercely defended by Scandinavian countries, the practice is denounced by environmentalists while half of Europe's timber harvest is already being burned to produce energy.

This law "will reward energy companies burning millions of trees, our main terrestrial carbon sink, worsening the climate and biodiversity crisis, and undermining people's health," said Martin Pigeon of Fern.

© 2023 AFP