Les sources d'énergie renouvelables: stratégie communautaire. Livre vert

The council had an open debate based on a communication by the Commission titled "Energy for the future : renewable sources of energy" - Green paper for a Community strategy. Ministers discussed, among other related issues, the following themes: - to what degree should be use of renewable energy be promoted inorder to achieve the Community energy objectives : competitiveness, security of supply and protection of the environment : - what would be an appropriate objective for future market penetration of renewable energy sources by the year 2010; - which strategies could be developed to ensure the marked penetration of sustainable renewable energy technology; - which type of incentives could be used to ensure the economic viability of renewable energies vis-à-vis other energy source. In their interventions, the Ministers emphasized the importance for the Community of developing plicies for a renewable energy resources strategy. It was agreed that the share of renewable energy should be increased in the energy supply of the Community. However, the appropriateness of specific quantitative targets needs to be examined. There was a broad consensus on the role Research and Development activities and new technologies can play in the strategies to enhance market penetration of renewable energy sources; fiscal and financial incentives were considered important tools in promoting renewable energy provided that ther is no distortion of competition.