Calls for increase in renewable energy research

Brussels, 18 Jun 2004

The European Renewable Energy Centres Agency (EUREC) has called for more funding for renewable energy research.

The appeal followed the publication of a Commission communication on 'The share of renewable energy in the EU', which details the slow progress of EU Member States towards meeting EU targets. The Commission acknowledged in the communication that it is 'necessary to strengthen support and accelerate the pace of public support for research, technological development and demonstration in renewables in Europe.'

EUREC, as well as a number of prominent scientists, would like to see a ten-fold increase in national renewable energy research by 2020. 'The recently published Environmental Technologies Action Plan makes it clear that technologies for sustainable development like those involved in renewable energy generation should be supported,' said President of EUREC, Professor Didier Mayer. 'Part of the support that is to be provided must be for research and development.'

EUREC Vice President, Dr Nicola Pearsall, added: 'It is estimated that in the coming decade, R&D [research and development] will deliver cost reductions of 20 to 25 per cent for photovoltaic technology and 10 to 15 per cent for wind. Research [makes] a huge contribution to bringing down the costs of the technology needed to achieve the White Paper targets.'

For further information, please contact:
EUREC
Tel: +32 2 546 1930
E-mail: krell@eurec.be

CORDIS RTD-NEWS / © European Communities
Item source: http://dbs.cordis.lu/cgi-bin/srchidadb?C ALLER=NHP_EN_NEWS&ACTION=D&SESSION=&RCN= EN_RCN_ID:22203