Most EU member-states are still a long way from the target set by the Kyoto Protocol for increasing the share of renewable energy sources (RES) in the primary consumption of energy.
Though the EU has been a pioneer in this area - its total installed power of RES systems is at 160,000 megawatts, or 32 percent of global production - the bloc lags considerably in reaching the target of 12 percent of RES share in the primary production of energy by 2010.
The European Commission predicts that the share of RES will increase from 5.61 percent today across the EU to 9 percent in 2010, rendering the 12 percent target non-feasible.
According to the Commission’s fifth “RES Barometer,” only five EU countries (Latvia, Sweden, Finland, Austria and Portugal) have already met the 12 percent target, while 14 states stand below 5 percent and seven below 2 percent.
In Greece the RES share came to 5.28 percent in 2004.
Greece boasts wind parks that totalled 465 MW in 2004, from 375 MW in 2003, taking the ninth spot among EU states. The list is topped by Germany (16,629 MW) with Spain in second (8,263 MW). Europe produces as much as 73 percent of global wind energy.
The European Union registered a new record in solar water heaters installed in 2004, mainly due to the entry of new member states. A total of 1,693,004 square meters were installed, though the EU accounts for just 10 percent of the global market. Greece is second in the EU with 2,826,700 square meters installed.
In the domain of small hydroelectric plants, Greece recorded the biggest rise among member states. The installed power of such plants grew by 57.3 percent, reaching 70 MW. Still, in absolute numbers, Greece is far behind other countries in electricity production from small hydroelectric units (not including the major ones of the Public Power Corporation).
When the EU adopted the Kyoto Protocol through a directive, it set a target of 21 percent of total electricity consumption to come from RES power production by 2010. Today this share stands at just 14 percent, so this lag has toughened the European Commission’s stance.
“Member states have to determine national targets and to introduce the appropriate measures in order for the European goal to be met,” recommended the European Commissioner responsible for Energy, Andris Piebalgs.
The commissioner has referred Greece and seven other EU members to the European Court of Justice for violating that directive. Greece is accused of having insufficient measures for the promotion of RES.
(Kathimerini, 26/8/06)