EU to exceed 2020 green energy target

New forecasts suggest the European Union will exceed its target of getting 20 percent of its energy from renewable sources in 2020, the European Commission said.

The latest national projections submitted by governments to the EU executive suggest the 27-nation bloc could reach an overall renewable share of 20.3 percent by the end of the decade.

"These forecasts show that member states take renewable energy very seriously and are really dedicated to pushing their domestic production," EU Energy Commissioner Guenther Oettinger said.

Spain and Germany forecast the largest surpluses in 2020, predicting they will exceed their national renewable targets by 2.7 and 0.7 percentage points respectively.

This will help to make up for projected shortfalls in several EU countries, including Italy, which expects to miss its 17 percent target by 1 percentage point.

EU governments that miss their 2020 targets will be forced to buy surplus renewable production from other countries to make up the difference, or could face legal action from the Commission, a spokeswoman for Oettinger said.

Related News

transalta-renewables

TransAlta brings online 119 MW of wind power in US

CALGARY - TransAlta Renewables Inc says two US wind farms, with a total capacity of 119 MW and operated by its parent TransAlta Corp, became operational in December.

The 90-MW Big Level wind park in Pennsylvania started commercial operation on December 19. It sells power to technology giant Microsoft Corporation under a 15-year contract.

The 29-MW Antrim wind facility in New Hampshire is operational since December 24. It is selling power under 20-year contracts with Boston-based non-profit hospital and physicians network Partners Healthcare and New Hampshire Electric Co-op.

The Canadian renewable power producer, which has economic interest in the two wind parks, said…

READ MORE

Alberta's electricity rebate program extended until December

READ MORE

Zero-emission electricity in Canada by 2035 is practical and profitable

READ MORE

winter scene in calgary

Calgary's electricity use soars in frigid February, Enmax says

READ MORE

Why an energy crisis and $5 gas aren't spurring a green revolution

READ MORE