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National 2030 climate and energy targets across Europe are being
re-worked as the decade progresses.
Two years into the EU National Energy and Climate Plans (NECPs)
for 2030, and some governments have altered 2030 targets to better
reflect reality while others have changed plans to align with
tougher EU ambitions.
The NECPs are obligatory 2030 plans for individual EU states to
achieve the aggregate EU targets for greenhouse gas reduction and
the energy transition. For most countries, NECPs were finalised in
2019. However, in April 2021, the EU changed the goalpost by
approving a tougher target of a 55% reduction in greenhouse gases
by 2030 instead of the 40% target. Then, in June 2021, the EU
Commission proposed the "Fit for 55" package of legislation for the
bloc to achieve this new 55% aim.
As these changes unfolded at the high level, national
governments began to take stock. In many instances, the changes to
the targets came after a change of government.
Notably, the new German government (which is a coalition
including the Green Party) has strengthened renewable power
capacity targets and increased the target share of renewables in
power to 80% by 2030 instead of 65%. For onshore renewables, the
government has banked on solar PV, with a new aim of 200 GW by
2030, a 100% increase on the old target.
Italy's government under Mario Draghi has also re-worked
renewables targets. Italy's renewables build-out has been
faltering, with capacity auctions undersubscribed and long queues
for grid connection permits. With 8 years left, the government has
reduced the volume of renewables to be built via auction, but
assumed the private sector will pick up the slack with power
purchase agreements. It also created a super-ministry, the ministry
for ecological transition, to fast-track permits.
Ireland, Belgium, and Spain have all toughened existing targets
in the past 6 months or, in the case of Spain, introduced new
targets in the shape of offshore wind. Outside the EU, the UK has
announced official intent to have a carbon-free power generation
system by 2035. The scope of ambition is being felt at national
level.
