Section: 2. Overview of EU Renewable Energy Policy | Module 2: Policy and Regulatory Framework

Section outline

The EU's renewable energy policy is rooted in its broader climate goals, especially the aim of achieving climate neutrality by 2050. These policies are designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 55% by 2030 (compared to 1990 levels) as set out in the European Climate Law. Renewable energy deployment is supported by sector-specific targets (e.g., for heating, cooling, electricity, and transport) and is accompanied by carbon pricing mechanisms such as the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS).

The "Fit for 55" package includes a revision of the Renewable Energy Directive, the Energy Efficiency Directive, and the introduction of the Social Climate Fund. These reforms aim to facilitate the decarbonization of energy systems through an integrated policy approach across sectors.

Timeline for renewable energy in the EU

2023	Revised Directive EU/2023/2413 entered into force
2022	REPowerEU Plan: new EC proposal to further raise the renewable energy target
2021	Fit for 55: EC proposal to revise the directive and raise the target for 2030 to 40%
2019	EU power production from wind and solar surpass coal for the first time
2018	Revised Renewable Energy Directive: 32% renewables target for 2030
2014	Onshore wind is cheaper than coal, gas and nuclear energy
2009	Renewable Energy Directive: EU target of 20% renewables by 2020 and national binding targets
2008	Olmedilla Photovoltaic park (Spain) - largest power plant (60MW) in the world - generates enough to power 40 000 homes/year
2003	Directive on biofuels and renewable fuels for transport: national targets for biofuels
2001	Directive on electricity production from renewables: national indicative targets
2000	First large-scale offshore wind farm (Denmark)
1997	Energy for the future: renewable sources of energy: indicative EU target of 12% renewables by 2010
1991	Germany introduces first feed-in-tarif for renewables