Renewable Energy Directive (RED, RED II)
2020 framework targets
Renewable energy directive from 2009 (2009/28/EC) was supporting on overall policy for the production and promotion of energy from renewable sources in the EU. It predicted at least 20 % of EU’s total energy to be filled with renewables by 2020, mainly to be achieved through the national targets of the member states. All EU countries must also ensure that at least 10 % of their transport fuels come from renewables by 2020.
The same directive also specified national renewable energy targets for 2020 for each country, taking into account also the overall potential for renewables (example: 10% in Malta to high of 49% in Sweden). Thus, progress towards national targets is measured every two years when EU countries publish national renewable energy progress reports.
Some key findings from the latest EU-wide report from 2017 (based on 2015 national reports data) are the following:
The EU as a whole have achieved a 16% share of renewable energy in 2014 and an 16,4% share in 2015.
Transport sector achieved a 6% share of renewable energy in 2015 but some countries must still intensify their efforts to reach the 10% binding target for transport by 2020.
Energy efficiency: renewable power could help reduce primary energy consumption and improve energy performance of buildings.