Brussels, 17 December 2008

Climate and Energy package adopted by the European Parliament - the targets are clear, now it’s time for Member States to pull up their sleeves !

“The adoption of the Climate and Energy Package marks a new decisive step forward in the development of renewables” said Eleni Despotou, Deputy Secretary General and Policy Director of the European Photovoltaic Industry Association (EPIA). The world's largest photovoltaic (PV)
industry association welcomes the positive vote of the European Parliament this morning.

This Package represents a crucial legal framework for the deployment of the photovoltaic sector in the next decade. It will provide a secure investment environment, guaranteeing a continued sustainable development of the photovoltaic sector. In particular, the association is pleased with the Directive on Renewable Energies which confirms the binding EU target of 20% renewable energy share by 2020 and national binding targets.

“This new Directive should ensure PV energy becomes a mainstream energy source in tomorrow’s energy mix”, Despotou continues.

However, some parts of the Package have, unfortunately, been weakened. Many exemptions in the auctioning of emissions permits were granted in the framework of the reviewed Emissions Trading Scheme. Unfortunately, this demonstrates that the “polluter pays principle” is not a reality
yet. The association also reminds that it favours technologically neutral funding measures, so as not to discriminate against any specific technology. It is as well regrettable that over half of the EU emissions reductions can be carried out outside Europe, which will unfortunately not foster efforts
at domestic level.

In this framework, EPIA supports the EU request made at the Poznan International Negotiations on Climate Change last week, to strengthen the Clean Development Mechanism “environmental integrity, the transparency of its decision-making and to improve the quality of the work done by project verifiers”.

Eleni Despotou concludes “To come to an agreement on such a comprehensive Package in such a short time was a challenge. This package will be a key landmark for Europe’s energy future. It is now up to each Member State to pull up its sleeves, and adopt all appropriate measures to reach
their emissions and renewable targets. “

The photovoltaic industry already demonstrated its fantastic growth in the past few years in supportive policy environments. With this Package, it stands ready for the solar age.

Note to editors

With almost 200 Members drawn from across the entire solar electricity sector, the European Photovoltaic Industry Association represents over 95% of the European photovoltaic industry. EPIA members are present throughout the whole value-chain of the photovoltaic industry: from silicon, cells and module production to systems development. EPIA’s mission is to deliver a distinct and valuable service driven from the strength of a single European photovoltaic voice.

For more information:

Sophie Lenoir, Media Relations
Tel: +32 (0)2 400 10 54 / +32 (0)479 202 333 - Email: Cet e-mail est protégé contre les robots collecteurs de mails, votre navigateur doit accepter le Javascript pour le voir


Source:

European Photovoltaic Industry Association
Renewable Energy House • Rue d’Arlon 63-67 • 1040 Brussels • Belgium • www.epia.org