WRITTEN QUESTION E-1996/97 by Dietrich Elchlepp (PSE) to the Commission (9 June 1997)

Subject: Renewable energy - subsidies and monitoring of use of funds

1. How much funding has been provided to subsidize renewable energy from regional and agricultural funds, and to which projects has it been allocated?

2. Does the Commission monitor whether the relevant plans in the EU Member States exploit all the potential for regenerative energy production, for example from biomass? Does the Commission know whether the funding is earmarked and if not, why not?

3. Is it true that the Theseus solar energy production project on Crete, which was originally planned with EU assistance, is now being replaced with purely conventional power stations (diesel-fired gas turbines, diesel generators with heavy oil or steam-driven power stations, heavy-oil-fired) on the islands of Chania and Atherinolakos?

How can this be reconciled with the wish expressed by Greek politicians and the Commission to turn Crete into a model for renewable energy technologies?

Answer given by Mr Papoutsis on behalf of the Commission (16 September 1997)

1. In the rural development framework, investment aid for renewable energy comes under the 'enhancement of endogenous potential' measure. In this context, funding is provided for several projects for the production of biodiesel from rape seeds and bioethanol from wheat or sugar beet, and for the utilisation of wood and the gasification of biodegradable waste, including manure and abattoir waste. It is difficult to indicate the precise amount of funding provided, as the individual projects under the programmes approved are not identified.

With respect to the regional funds, the promotion of renewable energy sources is part of the specific programmes for each of the Objective 1 Member States. Financing for renewable energy sources is relevant in the following Member States (for the period 1994-1999) out of a total of 3000 MECU for energy:

- Greece: 75.3 MECU representing 8.7% of the energy programme;

- Spain: a total of 84.42 MECU of which 26 MECU from the regional programmes and 56.43 MECU from a global grant of the energy sub-programme;

- Ireland: 8.6 MECU accounting for 27% of the energy sub-programme;

- Portugal: a total of 172.85 MECU of which 70 MECU account for 21.7% of the energy sub-programme; 12.95 MECU from the Madeira programme; 68.4 MECU from the Azores programme and 21.5 MECU from the REGIS II C.1 for the Azores.

In the previous programming period, from 1989 to 1993, the Community initiative Valoren contributed 293.75 MECU to the enhancement of endogenous energy potential, out of a total of 2 331 MECU granted in the area of energy.

2. The Commission co-finances national and regional planning projects concerning renewable energy. In this context, it makes sure that all the possibilities for producing energy from renewable sources, including biomass, are analysed. The Member States are responsible for deciding upon such plans and for the implementation arrangements. Specific information campaigns are conducted concerning the use of biomass for energy purposes - crops, forest waste, liquid biofuels and waste - to encourage the Member States to take account of the possibilities available in this area and to take the necessary measures.

3. No, the Theseus project concerns the installation of an innovative 52 megawatt solar-energy power station, the proposed site of which is at Fragokastello in the Prefecture of Chania (Crete).

This project, which is being funded under the Thermie programme (TE-235-96), is currently in the planning stage which will determine the exact dimensions and location of the plant in accordance with solar and meteorological data and with Crete's regional energy planning.