RENEWABLE ENERGY DEVELOPMENT IN EUROPE

Abstract

Abstract For almost two decades now, the Commission of the European Communities has been carrying out multi-annual and shared-cost research programmes on renewable energy sources with particular focus on solar, wind and biomass. The principal long-term objectives of the Commission programmes are to contribute to reducing pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, diversifying Europe's energy mix, improving security of energy_supply, strengthening the technological base of European industry and assisting the development of less favoured regions and countries. Their purpose is to guide, balance and complete the individual programmes carried out by the twelve Member States and to allow everybody in the Community to participate to the widest possible extent. At the onset, the emphasis was on exploring the potential contribution of renewable energies in the aftermath of the first oil crisis. Today, these programmes have reached maturity. A number of important achievements have brought Europe on the forefront of w...