The European Commission (EC) is preparing a directive on renewable energy for the period after 2020, and the public consultation process was concluded on 10th of February. The reaction of Europex, the European Association of Energy Exchanges, headed for a clear action plan to diminish the unexpected negative effects that the current European specific framework generated.

“The current framework has resulted in significant adverse effects, such as price distortions on the wholesale market. The key to ensure stability, transparency and integrity for investors is to continue supporting the transition to competitive market models, in those cases where support is still needed. This should be done in an adequate way at EU level. Regardless the support system, the focus should be on consumers, on enforcing and using a system based on source guarantees.

The use of source guarantees empowers consumers to choose their preferred type of source(s) of electricity and may thus drive to investments boost in renewable energy. Long-term interests of the EU in promoting renewable energy will be attended better if focused on the full integration of renewable energy sources in the network and power system as a whole, and not through partial measures and distorting subsidies. Concepts such as full balance responsibility for all production sources, aggregates, virtual power plants systems and improved forecaste of production of renewable energy should be central to this”, says a release from Europex.