Members of the European Parliament voted on July 13 to increase the share of renewable energy in the EU's total energy mix from 40% to 45% by 2030, under the revision of the Renewable Energy Directive (RED) that is also supported by the European Commission under its "RepowerEU" package.
The Commission also requires member states to reduce energy consumption by at least 40% by 2030 and to set the goal for innovative technology of at least 5% of the newly installed renewable energy capacity. For green electricity, MEPs demand on a more transparent and simpler system for guaranteeing of the energy’s origin.
In the transport sector, the deployment of more advanced biofuels and renewable fuels of non-biological origin such as hydrogen should result in a 16% cut of greenhouse gas emissions.
Other targets are set. The proportion of advanced biofuels and biogas should increase to at least 0.5% by 2025 and 2.2% by 2030. The committee further agreed on at least 2.6% of usage of renewable fuels of non-biological origin, including hydrogen, by 2028 and at least 5.7% by 2030.
“Only the expansion of renewable energy means true independence,” said Markus Pieper, a German lawmaker and lead MEP on the renewable energy directive. "Our vote demonstrates strong support for the increased 2030 target of 45%.”
