Position Papers

The European Commission is currently reviewing its Environmental Aid Guidelines as part of the modernisation of the EU State Aid policy. EPIA responded to the related consultation paper, ahead of new proposals which are expected for mid-2013.

On 14 January 2013 the European Commission published a Working Paper identifying the need for a European strategy to advance energy storage development and deployment. EPIA – the European Photovoltaic Industry Association – welcomes this paper and wishes to complement its conclusions with some comments and recent findings on the specific case of electricity storage.

The European Commission presented in November 2012 its communication on the internal energy market. EPIA has responded by underlining a key message: The internal market should be readied to attain the strategic EU goals of liberalisation, decarbonisation and integration of renewables. EPIA also stresses that the balance between supply and demand of electricity in the system should be considered in a wide context, taking into account the contribution made to it by photovoltaics and other renewables. The potential of flexibility resources – including demand side management, storage and interconnection – should be fully tapped into as a precondition to further steps in ensuring generation adequacy. Any form of capacity remuneration should be granted only when duly justified and reversible; it should be based on competitive awarding procedures and on a coordinated European approach, consistent with the internal market.

In the context of ENTSO‐E’s work in developing ‘2030 Visions’, the cost benefit analysis methodology to build scenarios and the System Operation and Adequacy Forecast (SOAF) reports, we welcome the ambition of ENTSO‐E to move away from a bottom-up methodology in order to adopt a truly European approach. We recognise that progress has been achieved in this respect but we are concerned that current efforts still fall short in meeting with EU policy renewable energy and climate objectives and expected stakeholder involvement. This response paper outlines these concerns and suggests further improvements.

EPIA welcomes the public consultation on the updated EEGI Roadmap. Together with the EU Photovoltaic Platform, EPIA leads the Solar Europe Industry Initiative (SEII) under the SET Plan, which sets the R&I needs of the PV sector in Europe until 2020. In light of the massive growth experienced by the PV market over the last few years, the analysis of PV grid integration strategies has assumed increased importance. Grid integration will therefore constitute an important pillar of the SEII Implementation Plan 2013-2015.

The European Commission presented in July a proposal to review the action time profile for the EU Emission Trading System (ETS). This technical measure is aimed at immediately addressing the surplus of allowances in the system. The surplus is one of the elements currently depressing the carbon price, thereby reducing the incentives to invest in clean energy. In its first contribution to this strategic debate, EPIA underlines the importance of coupling short term measures with a clear longer term framework, exploiting the full potential of PV in the energy sector decarbonisation.

The European Commission presented in June 2012 a communication highlighting the strategy to integrate renewable energies into the single energy market, with a view to set the framework for determining policies after 2020. In this new Response Paper, EPIA describes its vision of what should be done to ensure a cost-optimal deployment of PV in Europe. It also provides input to the guidance on the reform of national support schemes, which is currently being prepared by the Commission.

Research and innovation are instrumental in creating jobs and business opportunities. However, if Europe is to remain leader in the global economy, it needs to step up investments in this area. This is particularly true in this period of time characterised by financial instability and growing societal challenges, such as the one of ‘secure, clean and efficient energy’. By supporting research and innovation in renewables, Europe will turn the energy challenge into an opportunity for economic growth and industrial development.

EPIA – the European Photovoltaic Industry Association – welcomes the Commission’s proposed infrastructure package consisting of a draft Regulation on Guidelines for trans-European Energy Infrastructure and a draft Regulation establishing the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF). These new proposals will be instrumental in completing the internal energy market as well as in ensuring further deployment of renewable energies.

Europe has been the world leader in developing solar PV energy on a commercial scale but is now facing increased competition from other regions in the world as the industry globalises. To keep its front-runner advantage, it is imperative for the EU to develop a real industrial policy that would encourage and strengthen further local investments. Europe needs a strong industrial base to remain competitive in the global economy.