E.U. Increases Renewable Energy Requirements

European Union countries agreed this month to increase the proportion of the electricity they use that comes from renewable energy sources.

Energy ministers from all 15 EU countries signed up for non-binding targets which would increase the share of the total EU electricity market represented by renewables like wind and solar power to 22% from the current 14%.

"This initiative is part of fighting against climate change because it will substitute renewables for other energy types such as fossil fuels," EU Environment Commissioner Loyola de Palacio told a news conference, Dec. 5.

The targets vary widely for each of the 15 EU states, reflecting the varying market share renewables already enjoy in each country.

The ministers' decision will run into conflict with the European Parliament, which wants the targets to be made legally binding. The EU assembly has joint legislative powers with national governments on the issue.

According to an EU source, only Germany and Denmark were in favor of legally binding targets, with at least two countries -- Austria and Luxembourg -- saying they could never accept such measures.

The differences of opinion are likely to lead to difficult negotiations between the parliament and governments in the months ahead, diplomats said.

Under the 1997 United Nations Kyoto agreement on fighting global warming, the EU agreed to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 8 percent from 1990 levels by 2010.