With the Åland judgement today, the European Court of Justice ruled that due to the lack of harmonised national support schemes for renewables (RES), "it is possible in principle for Member States to limit access to such schemes to electricity production located in their territory.”
This decision thus finally puts an end to the uncertainties surrounding the compatibility of the RES Directive with the European Treaty. By respecting the regulatory framework in place, the Court has now referred the coordination of RES policies back to policymakers. At the same time EURELECTRIC positively notes the consideration given to the legitimate interest of investors in today’s ruling.
"We call on the European Commission to further support cooperation between Member States. Efforts should now continue to develop a European approach to cost-effective deployment of renewables through an increased use of cooperation mechanisms and better market integration in line with the energy and environment state aid guidelines that enter into force today,”said EURELECTRIC Secretary General Hans ten Berge.
EURELECTRIC will carry out further work with a view to developing recommendations on the review of the RES Directive to ensure European-wide sustainable and market-based growth in renewable energy.
