The EU unveils major energy reforms
The European Commission has revealed a number of policy proposals to develop Europe’s energy market. If the proposals are passed, the European power grid will be reformed after 2020 to cut energy use by 30% and make renewable energy at least 27% of Europe’s power supply by 2030. The proposals also suggest a cap for the share of crop-based biofuels used in transport at 3.8% by 2030, with a plan to increase usage of advanced biofuels and electrification to 6.8%. The European Commission is also welcoming cross-border tenders and an emissions limit on technologies involved in capacity mechanisms.

The European Commission has unveiled a package of policy proposals that would transform the continent’s energy market.

While there remains concern that renewables will lose their right of priority dispatch, the new package would enshrine the right of solar owners to sell excess electricity and establish a level playing field for investment via a shared rulebook.

Additional encouragement for cross-border tenders and an emissions limit on technologies participating in capacity mechanisms have also been welcomed.

“We need strong action to ensure that priority dispatch is maintained for renewables, especially if capacity mechanisms are to be allowed – even as a last resort,” said Alexandre Roesch, policy director at trade group SolarPower Europe (SPE). “Such mechanisms have a massive negative effect on the electricity price and thus distort investments away from clean technologies to old polluting ones. Renewables and flexibility providers need to be rewarded in the new market.”

Despite these concerns, proposals to protect self-consumption drew praise from SPE.

“Solar is a means to democratise energy and we are delighted that for the first time renewable self-consumers will now be recognised at EU level and have a legally binding framework giving them the right to generate, consume, store and sell their own power,” continued Roesch.

The proposals, which require consent from the European Parliament and member states, also recommend a 2030 renewable energy target of 27% and an emissions cap on capacity mechanisms to restrict the opportunities for coal.

Oliver Schaefer, president of SolarPower Europe, said the plans for the new European energy market could have been stronger.

“The market design measures proposed by the Commission are going in the right direction, but are not brave enough to phase out coal and nuclear. The energy transition is slowed down when these harmful energy sources continue to exist in our electricity system. We also need a firm push now to make sure that coal and nuclear are not given public money through capacity mechanisms,” he added.