#EUAuditors publish background paper on wind and solar power production

The European Court of Auditors has published a background paper on EU and member state support for wind and solar photovoltaic (PV) power generation.

Background papers follow the announcements of audits and provide information on ongoing audit tasks. They are a source of information for those interested in the policy and/or programmes being audited. The paper describes the work being carried out in connection with an audit that is under way, which comprises analyzing the design, implementation and monitoring of both EU and national strategies for wind and solar PV power generation from 2009 onwards, and EU and national funding for their development.

Electricity generation is the sector in which the share of renewables is highest. Wind and solar PV power are currently the two main sources of renewable energy used for this purpose and are on the brink of becoming the two cheapest forms of electricity production.

The 2009 Lisbon Treaty gave the EU the authority to develop an energy policy comprising four essential elements, including the promotion of energy efficiency and savings, and the development of new, renewable energy sources. The 2009 Renewable Energy Directive set a target for energy consumption from renewable sources of 20 % by the end of 2020 across the EU.

The Background Paper contains information on the development of the EU energy mix for electricity production, EU and national strategies for renewables, and funding for wind and solar PV power allocated in line with European regional and cohesion policy, as well as details of member states’ current progress towards the 2020 target.

The auditors will visit four EU member states: Germany, Greece, Spain and Poland. The audit report is due to be published in early 2019.

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