By Martin Banks - 19th October 2009
The commission is playing a pro-active role in this regard
Claude Turmes
A senior commission official has underlined the critical importance of renewable energy to help tackle a future energy crisis.
Hans van Steen, a head of unit, said that implementation of EU renewable energy policy had so far had left "a lot to be desired".
Under new EU legislation, member states are obliged to develop and submit action plans by next June.
They are supposed to detail how capitals intend to achieve their binding 20 per cent renewable energy sources target by 2020.
The requirement is part of the directive on the promotion of the use of energy from renewable energy sources, which came into force in June this year.
But van Steen, of the commission's DG Tren directorate, told a meeting in parliament that while renewable energy is "high on the agenda" of the EU, member states still had to demonstrate their commitment by preparing adequate national action plans.
He said that while it accepts some countries had "particular difficulties" the commission hopes that implementation will improve in the coming months.
Adoption of action plans is seen as an "acid test" of the seriousness with which member states will take their commitment to cutting CO2 emissions.
Speaking at the same event, Luxembourg Greens MEP Claude Turmes singled out the commission for praise over its efforts to help member states transpose the directive.
He said, "The commission is playing a proactive role in this regard and this is really helpful."
Parliament will have a "crucial role" in supporting implementation of the directive and "keeping up the political pressure for the delivery of concrete results", he said.
The event was organised by Eufores, the European parliamentary network on renewable energy.
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