Policy Support for Renewable Energy in the European Union: A Review of the Regulatory Framework and Suggestions for Adjustment

摘要

This report focuses on some specific features of renewable energy policies in the European Union. It discusses among others the appropriateness of current approaches regarding the setting of (portfolio) targets for renewables, in particular biofuels, and the issue of harmonisation of renewable energy policies among the Member States. The main research questions are: should renewables contribute as envisaged by the European Commission to meeting demand in the EU energy markets, the electricity and automotive fuel markets in particular, and does the European renewable energy policy framework leave room for improvement. The general EU policy objectives considered most relevant to the design of energy policy are: (1) competitiveness of the EU economy, (2) security of energy supply, and (3) environmental protection. All renewable energy policies should be measured by the contributions they make to these goals.