The development of European renewable energy policy – exploring the present and anticipating the future
Author
Summary, in English
European renewable energy policy has gone through a remarkable development over the last few years. It has moved from being a predominantly national-level concern with a focus on environmental
issues to a top European policy agenda item where security of supply and competitiveness concerns figure with equal prominence. In 2007 and 2008 EU established a very forceful policy framework with ambitious targets and strategies binding to all its member states. This paper examines European renewable energy policy development with a specific focus on the choice of policy instruments to promote renewable sources of energy in power and heat production. The paper traces key policy developments over the last decade and analyzes the role and influence of different interest groups, member states and policy makers in the EU policy-making processes, and how different – and partly competing – policy agendas have played in over time. From these empirical observations we look ahead. Based on key factors and agendas behind current policy developments, what can be said about what directions European energy policy might take in the future? The outlook discusses four distinct policy dimensions that will shape the direction of European energy policy: the climate policy agenda overall; the relative influence of different interests in shaping policy, the balance between European-wide and member state governance, and the level at which further market orientation is pursued in the sector.
issues to a top European policy agenda item where security of supply and competitiveness concerns figure with equal prominence. In 2007 and 2008 EU established a very forceful policy framework with ambitious targets and strategies binding to all its member states. This paper examines European renewable energy policy development with a specific focus on the choice of policy instruments to promote renewable sources of energy in power and heat production. The paper traces key policy developments over the last decade and analyzes the role and influence of different interest groups, member states and policy makers in the EU policy-making processes, and how different – and partly competing – policy agendas have played in over time. From these empirical observations we look ahead. Based on key factors and agendas behind current policy developments, what can be said about what directions European energy policy might take in the future? The outlook discusses four distinct policy dimensions that will shape the direction of European energy policy: the climate policy agenda overall; the relative influence of different interests in shaping policy, the balance between European-wide and member state governance, and the level at which further market orientation is pursued in the sector.
Department/s
Publishing year
2009
Language
English
Links
Document type
Conference paper
Topic
- Energy Systems
Keywords
- renewable
- energy
- certificate
- security
- climate
- EU
- Europe
Conference name
ISA's 50th Annual Convention, 2009
Conference date
2009-02-15 - 2009-02-18
Conference place
New York, United States
Status
Unpublished