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Summaries of EU Legislation

SET-Plan for the development of low-carbon technologies

As part of its strategy to develop a low-carbon economy, the European Union (EU) has set itself climate and energy targets for 2020. Technology can play a major role in helping to meet those objectives. The SET-Plan is the technology pillar of the EU’s energy and climate policy.

ACT

Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions - Investing in the development of low carbon technologies (SET-Plan) (COM(2009) 519 final of 7 October 2009)

SUMMARY

WHAT DOES THE PLAN DO?

The European strategic energy technology plan (SET-Plan) aims to boost the development and use of low-carbon technologies by 2020. It promotes cooperation between EU countries, companies and research institutions, which by pooling skills and facilities, can reduce costs. It also helps to finance projects.

KEY POINTS

  • European industrial initiatives exist for various forms of energy. The percentage of electricity they could produce by 2020 is given in brackets: wind (20 %), solar (15 %), bioenergy (14 %).
  • The European electricity grid initiative is designed to enable 50 % of networks in Europe to integrate renewables and effectively match supply and demand by 2020.
  • The carbon capture and storage initiative aims to make the technologies involved commercially viable.
  • The sustainable nuclear fission initiative is looking to have the first generation-IV prototypes in operation by 2020.
  • The energy efficiency initiative should ensure 25-30 ‘smart’cities (i.e. cities that use digital technologies which allow them to offer better public services for citizens and better use of resources with less impact on the environment) take the lead in the move to a low carbon future.
  • The European energy research alliance promotes coordinated cooperation between national research institutes on joint programmes. It is accompanied by moves to create science and research poles.
  • The Commission is exploring other technology options such as offshore renewable energy (such as wind energy, tidal power generators, etc.), energy storage, renewable heating and cooling. In the nuclear field, it is addressing the challenges of lifetime extension of facilities and disposal of nuclear waste.
  • The EU is actively cooperating with many of its international partners in, for instance, the strategic forum for international science and technology cooperation.

For more information, see the strategic energy technology plan website.

RELATED ACTS

Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions: Energy technologies and innovation (COM(2013) 253 final of 2.5.2013)

last update 05.08.2015

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