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

OBJECTIVE: to extend by two years the multiannual programme ALTENER II, which expires on 31/12/1997. COMMUNITY MEASURE: Council Decision 98/352/EC concerning a multiannual programme for the promotion of renewable energy sources in the Community (ALTENER II). SUBSTANCE: the Regulation establishes for the period 1998-1999 a second programme ALTENER II to promote renewable energy in the Community. The financial reference amount for its implementation is ECU 22 million for 1998 and 1999. The new programme has two general objectives: - to help create the necessary conditions for the implementation of a Community action plan for renewable energy resources; - to encourage private and public investment in the production and use of energy from renewable sources. The actions and measures to be financed are as follows: a) studies and other actions to implement and complement other measures by the Community and Member States to develop the potential of renewable energy sources (e.g. sectoral and market strategies, the development of norms, facilitating grouped procurement, environmental impact assessments, analyses of the possible use of economic measures or tax incentives); b) pilot actions of interest to the Community aimed at creating or extending structures and instruments for the development of renewable energy sources: local and regional planning; tools for planning; new financial products and market instruments; c) measures intended to develop information, education and training structures and encourage the exchange of experience and know-how; d) targeted actions facilitating the market penetration of renewable energy sources and know-how relating to them; e) monitoring and evaluation actions. Participation in the programme is open to the associated countries of Central and Eastern Europe and Cyprus. ENTRY INTO FORCE: the Decision is applicable from 01/01/1998 until the entry into force of the multiannual framework programme for measures in the energy sector, and until 31/12/1999 at the latest. �