News Article
European Call For Regulatory Framework
PV needs a framework to develop potential
Photovoltaics need a reliable regulatory framework to develop full potential
Yesterday, the European Commission released its energy strategy communication titled "Energy 2020". The European Photovoltaic Industry Association (EPIA) recalls the importance of preserving all necessary national support instruments in order to accompany the transition of renewables, in particular photovoltaics, to their full competitiveness in the short and medium term.
The Commission's communication on Energy 2020 outlines the strategy to be adopted by European political decision-makers in order to reach the 2020 energy targets and to prepare the ground for the energy policy beyond 2020.
While recognizing the importance of a well-functioning internal market, the EPIA warns the Commission against the temptation to re-open the discussion on trade in renewables initiated at the time of the approval of the Renewable Energy Directive. The objective of ensuring free movement of energy will be better achieved by concrete steps including, for instance, the development of network codes rather than by a new discussion on a Pan-European trade in renewable energies.
Referring to the European Commission's idea of a harmonisation of national support schemes, Ingmar Wilhelm, President of the EPIA affirmed that "Harmonization in support schemes across Europe is poised to create new bureaucratic hurdles rather than any cost efficiency. We should concentrate on following the best natural resources in every European region and confirm reliable regulatory conditions among EU Member States. This will lead renewable energies, and in particular photovoltaics to become efficient and market based energy supply solutions for millions of EU citizens."
"The EPIA welcomes the reference contained in the communication to negative effects on investors' confidence caused by retroactive adjustments to existing support schemes", said Adel El Gammal, Secretary General of EPIA. "The Commission's alarm came just the day after the Czech Parliament's approval of a measure that will decrease the level of previously agreed Feed-in-Tariffs for approved photovoltaic projects, thus creating significant investment uncertainty and jeopardizing further photovoltaic projects in Czech Republic", he added.
The association also supports the importance of the development of grid infrastructures and electricity storage capacities in order to facilitate the massive uptake of renewables assigned in this communication. Finally, the EPIA welcomes the Commission's commitment to providing additional support to the Technology Roadmaps of the European Industrial Initiatives, that will eventually further materialize the implementation of the Solar Europe Industry Initiative launched last June in the framework of the EC SET Plan.
