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

The Commission believes that the Common Position has succeeded in retaining the spirit and intention of the Commission proposal and of a substantial part of the amendments of the European Parliament. A workable and acceptable balance has been reached in defining cogeneration in order to reflect both a certain degree of harmonisation needed to contribute to a levelling of the playing field and a certain national flexibility to incorporate the very different realities cogeneration is facing throughout the Community. The Common Position has enriched the Commission proposal via inclusion of a Committee to assist the Commission on technical issues and to play an important role in reviewing aspects of the Directive, which needs to be updated in accordance with the technological development. Concerning the issue raised by the European Parliament relating to establishment of targets for further exploitation of cogeneration the Commission agrees with the intention behind this position because it is important to urge Member States to ensure and develop the role of cogeneration. The Common Position addresses this issue, as Member States are obliged to carry out analysis of national potentials for high efficiency cogeneration including a separate analysis of barriers preventing further use of cogeneration. The Commission regards these analyses as crucial for future measures and expects that the analyses will constitute de facto objectives for the national efforts. The Commission finds it also important to note that these analyses must be published and thereby the reports will inevitably be challenged and discussed within the sector. The Commission therefore recommends this Common Position to the European Parliament. �