WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3864/97 by Konstantinos HATZIDAKIS to the Commission. Progress in implementing the regional operational energy programme in Greece
Date: 1997-12-05
Institutions: European Parliament, HATZIDAKIS
Subjects: Community support framework, EU financing, Greece, degradation of the environment, import, operational programme, petroleum, renewable energy, trade balance

8. 6. 98

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 174/147

(98/C 174/219)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3863/97

by Luciano Vecchi (PSE) to the Commission

(5 December 1997)

Subject: Studies on Youth Policies in the European Union

In  December  1994  the  European  Commission  presented  a  study  on  youth  policies  in  the  European  Union  ›
structures and training, based on research carried out in 1992 and 1993.

This study proved extremely valuable for providing information on and sharing experience of local, national and
Community youth policies.

Does the Commission intend, in the coming months, to update this study or prepare fresh studies comparing
youth policies in the European Union?

Answer given by Mrs Cresson on behalf of the Commission

(12 January 1998)

The Commission  plans to update  the study  (cid:145)Youth  policies in  the European Union  (cid:150) structures  and training(cid:146)
during the course of 1998.

(98/C 174/220)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3864/97

by Konstantinos Hatzidakis (PPE) to the Commission

(5 December 1997)

Subject: Progress in implementing the regional operational energy programme in Greece

Greece(cid:146)s dependence on imports of foreign oil combined with the dollar(cid:146)s rise in value and the resultant increase
in the price of liquid fuels have created serious problems in terms of the balance of trade and employment in
Greece. These developments in conjunction with the pollution caused by extensive use of hydrocarbons have
once again brought the spotlight to bear on the critical issue of promoting domestic renewable energy sources in
Greece.

In the light of the above, will the Commission say what stage has been reached to date in implementing the
regional operational energy programme under the Community Support Framework for Greece, with particular
regard to the promotion of renewable energy sources?

Answer given by Mrs Wulf- Mathies on behalf of the Commission

(19 January 1998)

The operational programme for energy in the Community Support Framework for Greece has to date absorbed
98% of the public expenditure programmed for the first four years, i.e. 59% of the total amount planned for
1994-99. ECU 100.4 million, or 21% of the total for the programme, is allocated to renewable energy. Of this
amount, ECU 25.9 million is earmarked for the development of applied technology infrastructure, demonstration
of  applications  and  determining  what  potential  is  technically  and  financially  exploitable.  The  remaining
ECU 74.5 is earmarked for assisting the private sector to invest in geothermal energy, hydraulic mini-facilities on
water courses with a minimum capacity of 300 kW up to 5 mW and existing hydraulic networks, wind power,
passive  and  active  solar  systems  in  buildings  (particularly  for  heating,  refrigeration  and  hot  water),  biofuel
production and the use of renewable energy in sea-water desalination plants.