ALTENER II: multiannual programme for the promotion of renewable energy sources

The Committee feels it is essential, to strengthen the actions of the Community as well as the Member States in order to speed up renewable energy sources penetration in the internal and global market. The Committee endorses the conclusions of the first report of the Altener programme, which called for future actions to focus on particular strategic aspects, such as solving market penetration problems, whilst avoiding unwarranted distortions of competition. The Committee feels that the objectives, criteria and access procedures should be defined immediately, and not on an annual basis, whilst keeping the intervention levels flexible and within predetermined limits in order to avoid distortions of competition. The Committee would particularly like to see a further increase in the percentage of funding devoted by Altener II to these objectives. The Committee insists that the creation of pan-European standards is an important factor in promoting renewable energy sources. The Committee believes that the Altener programme, should promote cooperation with international cooperation programmes such as MEDA, PHARE and TACIS. The Euro-Mediterranean Energy Forum should include arrangements for cooperation and coordination with Altener. Whilst the Committee deplores the failure to include a specific title on energy policy in the Treaty on the European Union, it feels that RES support actions should be included in a strategic Framework Programme and be coordinated with other relevant Community policies and Member States policies. The Committee supports, once again, an "ad hoc" institute for renewable energy sources within the framework of the JRC. �