Proposal for a DECISION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL adopting a multiannual programme for the promotion of renewable energy sources in the Community (ALTENER) (1998-2002)
C 56 E/24 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 29. 2. 2000 Proposal for a Decision of the European Parliament and of the Council adopting a multiannual programme for the promotion of renewable energy sources in the Community (Altener) (1998 to 2002) Amending the proposal of the Commission pursuant to Article 250(2) of the EC Treaty (2000/C 56 E/08) (Text with EEA relevance) COM(1999) 560 final - 97/0370(COD) (Submitted by the Commission on 5 November 1999) THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Article 175(1) thereof, Having regard to the proposal from the Commission, Having regard to the Opinion of the Economic and Social Committee (1), Having regard to the Opinion of Regions (2), the Committee of the Acting in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 251 of the Treaty (3), Whereas: (1) Article 174 of the the Treaty provides objectives of Community action is to ensure prudent and rational utilisation of natural resources. that one of (2) Article 152 of the Treaty provides that health protection requirements are to form a constituent part of the Community’s other policies; the Altener programme set out in this Decision contributes to health protection. (3) At its meeting on 29 October 1990 the Council set an objective of stabilising total CO2 emissions by the year 2000 at the 1990 level in the Community as a whole. (4) The Kyoto Protocol on Climate Change to the United Nations Framework Convention further commitments for the Community and its Member States to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, including the under- taking given by the Community to the effect that an 8 % reduction in greenhouse gas emissions for the years 2008 to 2012 compared with 1990 levels would be achieved. contains (6) CO2 emissions from energy consumption in the Community are likely to increase by about 3 % between 1995 and 2000, assuming normal economic growth; in the light of the above-mentioned Kyoto undertaking, it is essential to adopt additional measures; measures which would genuinely help to achieve the above objective including a much more intensive use of renewable energy sources as well as energy efficiency. the (7) At its meeting on 25 and 26 June 1996 the Council noted that in the framework of the negotiations on a protocol concerning the Berlin Mandate, the Second Assessment Report of Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (SAR IPCC) had concluded that the balance of evidence suggested that there was a discernible human influence on global climate change and had stressed the need for urgent action at the widest possible level, noted that significant áno-regretsí opportunities were available and requested the Commission to identify the measures that had to be taken at Community level. of 13 December (8) By the Green Paper of 11 January 1995 and the White Paper Commission communicated to the European Parliament and the Council its views on the future of energy policy in the Community and on the role that renewable energy sources should play. 1995 the (9) In its Resolution of 4 July 1996 on a Community action renewable energy sources (5) the European plan for Parliament called upon the Commission to implement a Community action plan to promote renewable energy sources. (10) In its resolution of 14 November 1996 (6) on the Commission White Paper on an energy policy for the European Union, the European Parliament called on the Commission to develop a to stimulate renewable sources of energy. financial programme (5) A mechanism for monitoring CO2 and other greenhouse gas emissions in the Community was established by Council Decision 93/389/EEC (4). (1) OJ C 214, 10. 7. 1998, p. 44. (2) OJ C 315, 13. 10. 1998, p. 1. (3) Opinion of the European Parliament of 11 March 1999 (OJ C 175, 21. 6. 1999, p. 262), Council Common Position of 28 June 1999 (OJ C 243, 27. 8. 1999, p. 47) and Decision of the European Parliament of (not yet published in the Official Journal). (4) OJ L 167, 9. 7. 1993, p. 31. (11) By the Green Paper of 20 November 1996 and the White Paper of 26 November 1997 entitled Energy for the Future: Renewable Sources of Energyí, the Commission started a process the development and further implementation of a Community Strategy and an Action these are set out, Plan on Renewable Energy Sources; together with a Campaign for take-offí, in its White Paper. for (5) OJ C 211, 22. 7. 1996, p. 27. (6) OJ C 362, 2. 12. 1996, p. 279. 29. 2. 2000 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 56 E/25 in this (12) In its Resolution of 15 May 1997 (1) on the Green Paper entitled Energy for the Future: Renewable Sources of Energyí, the European Parliament urged the Commission to adopt as soon as possible a strengthened Altener II same Resolution the European programme; Parliament also called for attention to be paid to the possibility of coordinating policies and initiatives in the sphere of renewable energy and energy efficiency in order to develop potential existing synergies and avoid dupli- in its Resolution of cation of efforts wherever possible; 18 June 1998 (2) on the Commission communication Energy for the Future: Renewable Sources of Energy - White Paper for a Community Strategy and Action Planí, it called for a clear increase in funding for the Altener programme in the Energy Framework Programme. (13) Article 8 of Directive 96/92/EC of the European the Council of 19 December 1996 Parliament and of concerning common rules for the internal market in elec- tricity (3) offers Member States the possibility of furthering the penetration of the market in electricity produced from renewable sources of energy by giving them priority. (14) Article 158 of the Treaty provides that the Community is leading to the its to develop and pursue strengthening of its economic and social cohesion and is to aim at reducing disparities that, the various between the regions and the backwardness of the least-favoured regions; those actions cover inter alia the energy sector. levels of development of in particular, actions it (15) In Decision 93/500/EEC (4) and Decision 98/352/EC (5), the Council adopted a Community programme entitled Altener for the promotion of renewable energy sources aimed at reducing CO2 emissions by increasing the market share of renewable energy sources and its contribution to overall primary energy production in the Community. (16) The Community has recognised that programme represents an important element of Community strategy for reducing CO2 emissions. the Altener the (18) In implementing Decision No 182/1999/EC of fifth 1998 and of concerning the the Council of 22 European Parliament framework the December programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (1998 to 2002) (7), the Council Decision of 25 January 1999 adopting a specific programme for research, tech- nological development and demonstration on energy, environment (1998 to 2002) (8) devotes particular attention to efficient and renewable energy technologies; the Altener programme is an instrument which complements that programme. and sustainable development (19) The Altener programme does not alter national projects or systems for the promotion of renewable resources; its objective is to add a Community aspect that represents added value. (20) Renewable energy sources are an important energy source for the European Union with considerable commercial should development potential; be supported through a strategy and targeted specific actions to make them both viable and competitive and thus create a favourable environment for investment. therefore their (21) The increased use of renewable sources of energy will have a positive effect both on the environment and on the security of energy supplies; the free and large-scale development of renewable energy sources will make it possible fully to exploit their economic and employment potential; a high degree of international cooperation is desirable to achieve the best results. (22) A strengthened Altener programme represents an essential renewable instrument energy should account for a reasonable share of the European internal energy market. for developing the potential of renewable sources; sources energy (17) Provision should therefore be made within the multi- annual framework programme for actions in the energy (1998 to 2002) adopted by Council Decision sector 1999/21/EC, Euratom (6) for a specific programme for the promotion of renewable energy sources; this specific programme would replace the corresponding instrument currently in force. (1) OJ C 167, 2. 6. 1997, p. 160. (2) OJ C 210, 6. 7. 1998, p. 215. (3) OJ L 27, 30. 1. 1997, p. 20. (4) OJ L 235, 18. 9. 1993, p. 41. (5) OJ L 159, 3. 6. 1998, p. 53. (6) OJ L 7, 13. 1. 1999, p. 16. (23) In order to ensure proper implementation of the Community Strategy and Action Plan up to 2010 for renewable energy sources, the Commission needs appro- priate mechanisms for monitoring and assessing the various initiatives. (24) The aim of the targeted actions referred to in Article 2(d) of this Decision is to facilitate and accelerate investment in new operational capacity for the production of energy from renewable sources by providing financial support, in particular for small and medium sized enterprises in order to reduce the peripheral and service (SMEs), (7) OJ L 26, 1. 2. 1999, p. 1. (8) OJ L 64, 12. 3. 1999, p. 58. C 56 E/26 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 29. 2. 2000 costs of renewable energy projects, and thus overcome the non-technical obstacles present; those actions promote, the analysis of inter alia, access to specialised advice, market prospects, location of projects, construction and operation permits, application for initiatives taken by SMEs on investment in renewable sources of energy, the establishment of financing plans, the preparation of calls the training of for operators and plant commissioning. the choice of tenders, in the area of biomass, (25) Those targeted actions concern the implementation of including projects carried out energy crops, firewood, residues from forestry and agri- culture, municipal waste which cannot be recycled, liquid biofuels and biogas, and in the areas of thermal and photovoltaic solar systems, passive and active solar than 10 MW) systems hydroelectric projects, wave energy, wind power and geothermal energy. in buildings, scale (less small (26) The development of renewable energy sources can help create a competitive energy system for the whole of energy and develop a European renewable Europe sources industry, with vast opportunities for the export of technology and know-how and for investment in third countries involving Community participation in the framework of cooperation programmes. (27) It is politically and economically desirable to open the Altener programme to the associated central and eastern European countries, in accordance with the conclusions of the Copenhagen European Council of 21-22 June 1993 as confirmed by subsequent European Councils and as outlined in the Commission communication on that subject in May 1994, and also to Cyprus. (28) The measures necessary for the implementation of the present act being management measures in the meaning of Article 2 of Council Decision 1999/468/EC of 28 June 1999, laying down the procedures for the exercise of implementing powers conferred on the Commission (1), these measures should be adopted according to the management procedure foreseen in Article 4 of the said Decision. (29) In order to ensure that Community aid is used efficiently and duplication of work is avoided the Commission will to thorough prior ensure that projects are subject appraisal; it will systematically monitor and evaluate the progress and results of supported projects. (30) This Decision establishes a financial framework which should be the principal point of reference, within the meaning of point 1 of the Declaration by the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission of 6 March 1995 (2) for the budgetary authority for the purposes of the annual budgetary procedure; account should be taken of that a new financial perspective will be negotiated during the course of the Altener programme. the fact (31) This Decision replaces Council Decision 98/352/EC which should accordingly be repealed, HAVE ADOPTED THIS DECISION: Article 1 framework programme for 1. Within the multiannual actions in the energy sector, a specific programme for promotion of renewable energy sources and support for the implementation of a Community strategy and action plan for renewable energy sources to the year 2010 (hereinafter referred to as áthe Altener programmeí) shall be implemented by the Community for the period 1998 to 2002. In addition to the priority objectives listed in Article 1(2) of Council Decision 1999/21/EC, Euratom the objectives of the Altener programme shall be to: (a) help create the necessary conditions for implementing the Community Strategy and action plan and boosting the Campaign for Take-Off above as mentioned Commission White Paper of 26 November 1997 entitled Energy for the future: renewable sources of energyí and in particular the legal, socio-economic and administrative new market instruments and mechanisms; conditions, called for including in the (b) encourage private and public investment in the production and use of energy from renewable sources. These two specific objectives shall contribute to achieving the following overall Community objectives - complementing those of the Member States - and priorities: limitation of renewable energy increasing the share of CO2 emissions, sources in order to reach the indicative objective of 12 % in the gross internal energy consumption in the Community in 2010, reduction in energy import dependence, security of energy supply, promotion of employment, economic devel- opment, economic and social cohesion and local and regional development, the economic including the strengthening of potential of remote and peripheral regions. (1) OJ L 184, 17. 7. 1999, p. 23. (2) OJ C 102, 4. 4. 1996, p. 4. 29. 2. 2000 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 56 E/27 Community financial support shall be granted under the 2. Altener programme for actions and measures meeting the objectives set out in paragraph 1(a) and (b). 3. The financial framework for the implementation of the Altener programme shall be EUR 81,1 million. Of this amount, EUR 29,6 million shall be for the period 1998 to 1999. The financial framework for the period 2000 to 2002 shall be EUR 51,5 million. This amount shall be reviewed if it is not consistent with the financial perspective for that period. The annual appropriations shall be authorised by the budget authority within the limits of the financial perspective. Article 2 The following actions and measures relating to renewable energy sources shall be financed under the Altener programme: (a) studies and other actions, States impact resulting from the use of intended to implement and complement other measures by the Community and Member taken to develop the potential of renewable energy sources. These involve in particular the development of sectoral and market strategies, the devel- facilitating grouped opment of norms and certification, procurement, analyses, based on projects, comparing the long-term cost/benefit environmental and the forms of trends energy and the use of the the legal, socio-economic and administrative analysis of conditions, the possible use of including analysis of economic measures and/or tax incentives which are more favourable to the market penetration of renewable energies, the preparation of appropriate legislation to promote an environment favourable to investment and better methods which make it possible to evaluate the costs and benefits that are not reflected in the market price; renewable energy sources, traditional (b) pilot actions of to the Community aimed at creating or extending structures and instruments for the development of renewable energy sources in: interest - local and regional planning, regional and local activities; establishment of a centralised system for circulating information and know-how on renewable energy sources; prioritising collecting, and (d) targeted actions facilitating the market penetration of renewable energy sources and relevant know-how, in order to facilitate the transition from demonstration to marketing, and encouraging investment, by advising on the preparation and presentation of projects and their implementation; (e) monitoring and evaluation actions intended to: - monitor the implementation of the Community strategy the development of renewable and action plan for energy sources, - support initiatives taken in implementing the Action Plan, particularly with a view to promoting better coor- dination and greater synergy between actions, including all Community funded activities and those funded by other bodies such as the European Investment Bank, - monitor the progress achieved by the Community and comment on that achieved by the Member States with regard to the development of renewable energy sources, - evaluate the impact and cost effectiveness of actions and measures undertaken under the Altener programme. This evaluation shall also take into account the environ- mental and social aspects, including the effects on employment. Article 3 All costs relating to the actions and measures referred to 1. in Article 2(a), (c) and (e) shall be borne by the Community. Where a body other than the Commission proposes a measure covered by Article 2(c), the Community’s financial contribution shall not exceed 50 % of the total cost of the measure; the balance may be made up from public or private sources or a combination of the two. - the tools for planning, design and evaluation, - new financial products and market instruments; The level of funding under the Altener programme for 2. the actions and measures referred to in Article 2(b) shall not exceed 50 % of their total cost; the balance may be made up from public or private sources or a combination of the two. (c) measures intended to develop information, education and training structures; measures to encourage the exchange of experience and know-how aimed at improving coor- dination between international, Community, national, 3. The level of funding under the Altener programme for the actions and measures referred to in Article 2(d) shall be established annually for each of in accordance with Article 4(2). the targeted actions C 56 E/28 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 29. 2. 2000 Article 4 The Commission shall be responsible for the financial 1. execution and implementation of the Altener programme. The Commission shall also ensure that actions under the Altener programme are subject to prior appraisal, monitoring and subsequent evaluation which, on completion of the project, shall implementation and whether the original objectives have been achieved. include assessment of impact, The Commission shall ensure that the selected beneficiaries submit reports to the Commission on at least a six-monthly basis or, in the case of projects lasting less than one year, at the halfway point and in all cases on completion. The Commission shall keep the committee referred to in Article 5 informed of the development of projects. The conditions and guidelines to be applied for the 2. support of the actions and measures referred to in Article 2 shall be defined each year taking into account: (a) the priorities set out by the Community and the Member States in their programmes for the promotion of renewable energy sources; (b) criteria relating to the cost effectiveness and development potential of renewable energy sources and their impact on employment the reduction of CO2 emissions; in particular environment, and the (c) for the actions referred to in Article 2(d), the relative cost of the assistance, the long-term commercial viability, the new production capacity expected to arise and the extent of transregional and/or transnational benefits; In the case where reference is made to the present para- 2. graph, the management procedure foreseen in Article 4 of Decision 1999/468/EC applies (without prejudice to the provisions of Article 8 of the same Decision). The period foreseen in Article 4, paragraph 3 of Decision 3. 1999/468/EC is fixed at no more than three months. Article 6 the Examination and internal and external assessment of implementation of the Altener programme shall be carried out in accordance with the provisions of Article 5 of Council Decision 1999/21/EC, Euratom. Article 7 and central The Altener programme shall be open to participation by associated in eastern accordance with the conditions, including financial provisions, laid down in the additional protocols to the Association Agree- ments, or in the Association Agreements themselves, relating to participation in Community programmes. European countries The Altener programme shall also be open to participation by Cyprus on the basis of additional appropriations, under the same rules as those applied to the EFTA/EEA countries, in accordance with procedures to be agreed with that country. Article 8 (d) the principles established in Article 87 of the Treaty and the relevant Community guidelines on State aid for environmental protection. This Decision shall enter into force on the twentieth day following that of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Communities. The committee provided for in Article 5 shall assist Commission in defining these conditions and guidelines. the Article 5 Article 9 Council Decision 98/352/EC shall be repealed. The Commission shall be assisted, for the purposes of 1. implementing the Altener programme, by the committee referred to in Article 4 of Council Decision 1999/21/EC, Euratom. Article 10 This Decision is addressed to the Member States