WRITTEN QUESTION E-1521/01

by Fernando Fernández Martín (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(21 May 2001)

Subject: Renewable energies project on the island of El Hierro (Canaries)

The island of El Hierro (Canaries) could become a European reference point for the use of clean energies. Adopting the motto 100 % renewable energies, the island council of El Hierro has been working for some years on a project designed to make this Spanish island, which has a surface area of 278 km2 and 9 000 inhabitants, into the first in the world to supply itself entirely from alternative energies in full harmony with environmental protection.

A feasibility study is being carried out and the technical data could not be more positive. The parameters studied indicate that the project could be viable. The only thing which remains to be done is to secure the necessary funding to make this initiative - which is unique in Europe and represents a model of sustainable development - a reality, on an island whose entire territory was recently declared a biosphere reserve by Unesco. A sustainable development plan has been in force on the island since 1996, in line with its status as a biosphere reserve.

Can the Commission say whether its policy on promoting and encouraging the development of renewable energies in Europe, announced by Commissioner de Palacio on many occasions, might embrace a project such as that described above?

Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(17 July 2001)

The Commission White Paper Energy for the future: renewable energy sources mentions as a key initiative, the 100 % renewable energy sources (RES) supply launched as part of the campaign for take off. This initiative is addressed to communities like regions, cities and islands that could reasonably obtain a 100 % of their power supply from renewable energy sources.

The island of El Hierro (Canaries) participates in the Islands 2010 initiative, an Altener project cofinanced by the Commission which takes on board the main ideas of promoting the incorporation of new the 100 % RES communities.

A wind energy plant combined with hydroelectric production has been co-financed too in the frame of Altener.

Reflecting the Commission interest on renewable energy sources, a new target call of the Fifth framework programme of Research and Technology Development (1998-2002) of the Community, Sustainable communities was launched at the end of 2000. This call is part of one of the thematic programme Energy, Environment and Sustainable Development.

In this call priority is given to integration of renewable energy sources and distributed generation of energy systems. A second call is open now with a closing date on the 14th of December 2001.

The Commission, as part of its policy for encouraging the development of renewable energies in Europe has launched this specific call under the Fifth framework programme. The project of El Hierro could be eligible under this call if conditions like added Community value and innovation would be fulfilled.

For more detailed information, please consult the website: http://www.cordis.lu/fp5/home.html.

Finally, in its proposal for a Directive on the promotion of electricity from renewable energy sources in the internal electricity market(1), the Commission proposes a 22 % contribution by renewable energy to the total electricity consumption. Council adopted its common position on the Directive on 23 March 2001(2). The text of the common position was approved by Parliament in second reading on the 4th of July 2001.

(1) OJ C 311, 31.10.2000.

(2) OJ C 142, 15.5.2001.