EPIA’s reminder comes as the European Commission has released its energy strategy communication, Energy 2020.
The Commission’s communication on Energy 2020 outlines the strategy to be adopted by European political decision-makers in order to reach the 2020 energy targets and to prepare the ground for the energy policy beyond 2020.
While recognising the importance of a well-functioning internal market, the EPIA warns the Commission against the temptation to re-open the discussion on trade in renewable energy initiated at the time of the approval of the Renewable Energy Directive.
The objective of ensuring free movement of energy will be better achieved by concrete steps including, for instance, the development of network codes rather than by a new discussion on a Pan-European trade in renewable energies, EPIA says.
Referring to the European Commission’s idea of a harmonisation of national support schemes, Ingmar Wilhelm, President of the EPIA, says: “Harmonisation in support schemes across Europe is poised to create new bureaucratic hurdles rather than any cost efficiency. We should concentrate on following the best natural resources in every European region and confirm reliable regulatory conditions among EU Member States. This will lead renewable energies, and in particular photovoltaics to become efficient and market based energy supply solutions for millions of EU citizens.”
Adel El Gammal, Secretary General of EPIA, adds: “The EPIA welcomes the reference contained in the communication to negative effects on investors’ confidence caused by retroactive adjustments to existing support schemes.
“The Commission’s alarm came just the day after the Czech Parliament’s approval of a measure that will decrease the level of previously agreed feed-in tariffs for approved photovoltaic projects, thus creating significant investment uncertainty and jeopardising further photovoltaic projects in Czech Republic.”
The association also supports the importance of the development of grid infrastructures and electricity storage capacities in order to facilitate the massive uptake of renewable energy.