Promotion of cogeneration based on a useful heat demand in the internal energy market

The committee adopted the report by Norbert GLANTE (PES, D) tabling a large number of amendments to the proposal under the 1st reading of the codecision procedure. The main amendments were as follows: - the proposed timetable should be speeded up. - two years after the directive's entry into force, and after consulting associations representing the cogeneration sector, the Commission should present an in-depth analysis on establishing general principles for comparing cogeneration with harmonised reference values for the separate production of heat and electricity. The committee proposed a list of criteria enabling fair comparisons to be made, i.e. taking account inter alia of climatic differences in the Member States, the different technologies in the Member States, security of supply and environmental aspects, etc. On the basis of this analysis, the Commission should publish harmonised reference values for determining primary energy savings by cogeneration; - the committee amended the scientific definition of electricity produced by cogeneration, deleting the efficiency thresholds of 75% and 85% proposed by the Commission, and proposed a new calculation method; - the committee introduced a new provision laying down a procedure for establishing a harmonised calculation method which could be adopted within a reasonable period; - the committee introduced a new article, entitled "Targets and timetable", stipulating that the EU and each individual Member State shall achieve a cogeneration electricity output of at least 18% of the respective EU and total electricity output by 2012; - a specific objective was introduced requiring Member States to take steps to enable them to fully exploit 20% of their national potentials by 2010; - two years after the directive's entry into force, the Commission should submit a new proposal on the promotion of electricity from cogeneration installations, taking account of climatic differences between the Member States, so that all improvements in efficiency result in eligibility for support.�