EU on track to achieve 23 per cent renewable energy by 2030

According to European Environmental Agency EEA without the deployment of renewable energy since 2005 the EU’s consumption of fossil fuels would have been 7 per cent higher in 2012.

The European Energy and Climate Commissioner Miguel Arias Cañete is proposing a new package of measures designed to increase the use of renewable energy across the region. The package was intended to achieve a new target of 23 per cent renewable energy by 2030.

Arias Cañete said: "We must create a single EU market for renewable energy that is fully integrated with, and competes freely in, the overall electricity market. A renewable energy market that rewards innovation and promotes efficiency will make an important contribution to improving our energy security. It must be a driver of jobs and growth. And thereby it will help ensure affordable and competitive electricity prices for our citizens".

New figures display EU carbon emissions levels and fossil fuel consumption reduced by 7 per cent in 2012.

Figures released by European Environmental Agency (EEA) revealed that renewables’ energy share reached nearly 15 per cent in 2013, meaning that the EU is ahead of the 12 per cent target set by Renewable Energy Directive and progressing to exceed the 20 per cent goal for 2020.

According to EEA without the deployment of renewable energy since 2005 the EU’s consumption of fossil fuels would have been 7 per cent higher in 2012.

EEA Executive Director Hans Bruyninckx said that the findings highlight that strong policies drive investment in renewable energy.

He says: "Renewable energy is quickly becoming one of Europe's great success stories. We can go even further: if we support innovation in this area it could become a major motor of Europe's economy, bringing down emissions while creating jobs”.