A survey conducted by the European Commission has found that 90% of citizens think it’s important for their government to aim for a greater share of renewable energy by 2030.
The Eurobarometer poll, published this week, also found that 49% of those asked thought it “very important” for governments to ask.
Try Premium for just $1
- Full premium access for the first month at only $1
- Converts to an annual rate after 30 days unless cancelled
- Cancel anytime during the trial period
Premium Benefits
- Expert industry analysis and interviews
- Digital access to PV Tech Power journal
- Exclusive event discounts
Or get the full Premium subscription right away
Or continue reading this article for free
Support was highest in Cyprus, Greece and Malta and lowest in Bulgaria and Estonia.
The EU’s current 2020 target of sourcing 20% of its energy from renewables is made up of a patchwork of binding goals for each nation.
Discussions on the 2030 goals have seen some call for no separate renewables target at all and instead an emission reduction target to act as the sole policy to promote renewables.
The UK performed a u-turn this week. It had been the largest country in a group looking to remove the renewable target so that other low carbon technologies such as nuclear and carbon capture and storage could be used as well. Now it has said it backs a 27% renewable energy target for 2030, but that this should not be broken into national objectives. This is in line with the current proposals by the European Commission.
Critics said this target is unambitious and represents “business as usual”.