91999E2057

WRITTEN QUESTION P-2057/99

by Pat Gallagher (UEN) to the Commission

(5 November 1999)

Subject: Fifth framework programme (Energy)

Will the Commission state what steps are being taken to achieve the target set by the European Parliament as regards renewable energy?

Answer given Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(23 November 1999)

In its commentary on the 1999 budget for the Fifth research and technological development (RTD) framework programme, the budgetary authority, at the initiative of the Parliament, requested that 60 % of

credits for non-nuclear energy should be allocated to renewable energies, of which 75 % should be allocated to renewable demonstration projects. The Commission agrees that there is an urgent need to encourage the demonstration of solutions which favour the use of innovative renewable energy resources and would like to satisfy the commentary as far as practicable.

The first call for proposals for the Energie programme (energy component of the energy, environment and sustainable development specific RTD programme) gave considerable prominence to renewable energies. Indeed, within the constraints of the work programme, almost all renewables sectors were covered by the call.

While the final decision on 1999 projects has not yet been formally made, it can already be said that the share represented by projects dedicated to renewables and demonstration in renewables in the commitment of the available budget for the non-nuclear energy sub-programme will be very close to the target indicated in the budget commentary.