Renewable Energy Transformations and the EU

Abstract

EU policies affecting renewable energy policy has evolved historically between actors with different interests. A policy package agreed in 2008, that included the current Renewable Energy Directive, shaped member states’ policies towards 2020. Binding national renewable energy targets were adopted to collectively ensure a share for renewable energy consumption of 20 % by 2020. Recent changes in policy include new State Aid Guidelines adopted in 2014. A new Energy Union package of policies towards 2030 has now been proposed. The member states have agreed on new a target for renewable energy, to reach 27 % of EU energy consumption by 2030. Binding targets for the member states have been abolished. The package proposed by the European Commission in 2016 included a revised Renewable Energy Directive, new market design rules and guidelines for how to ensure proper governance towards the new target in 2030. The panel invites papers analyzing EU climate and energy policies affecting the transition towards an energy system based on renewable energy. The panel will welcome papers assessing and explaining EU policy development, implementation and transformation in the member states as well as papers addressing EU governance challenges.