Amended proposal for a Council Decision concerning a multiannual programme for the promotion of renewable energy sources in the Community - Altener II
Date: 1998-01-27
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: Central and Eastern European countries, EU programme, competitiveness, renewable energy, security of supply

COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES 

Brussels,  02.12.1997 
COM(97) 646  final 

97/0106  (SYN) 

Amended proposal for a 

COUNCIL DECISION 

concerning a multiannual programme for the promotion of renewable energy sources in 
the Community - ALTENERII 

(presented by the Commission pursuant to Article  189 a (2) 
of the EC-Treaty) 

EXPLANATORY  MEMORANDUM 

On  12 March  1997 the  Commission  adopted  a proposal  for  a  Council  Decision  concerning  a 
multiannual  programme  for  the  promotion  of  renewable  energy  sources  in  the  Community 
(Altener  H). The proposal  is based  on  Article  130(s) of the Treaty which  provides  for  the  co 
operation procedure with the European  Parliament.  On 6 November  1997 the Parliament  gave 
its opinion on the first reading. 24 amendments were voted and accepted. 

The principal  preoccupations  of the  Parliament  matched  those  of the  Commission.  Of the  24 
amendments  proposed,  the  Commission  accepted  seven  in  their  entirety  and  ten  with  re 
wording. 

Seven  amendments  have not  been  accepted,  and  one  only  partially  (amendment  n°20),  by  the 
Commission for the following reasons: 

- amendment n° 1 
It is inappropriate to refer to a publication of conference proceedings in a legal text. 

- amendment n° 3 
idem 

- amendment n° 4 
The question  of taking account  of indirect  costs  in tariff  calculation  falls  within the  scope not 
of this programme but rather of the proposals  on a Community  strategy for  Renewables  which 
the Commission will be presenting separately to Parliament and Council. 

- amendment n° 14 
The amount  of financing  will  be  decided  in  accordance  with the normal  budgetary  procedure, 
during  which  the  budgetary  authorities  take  all  relevant  aspects  into  account,  including 
questions concerning Renewables as well as greenhouse gases. 

- amendment n° 20 
The  concepts  included  in  indents  3,  4,  and  5  are  implicit  in  the  first  and  third  as  originally 
drafted. 

- amendment n° 24 
Reporting procedure is already stipulated in art. 6. 

- amendment n° 26 
The Comitology rules are laid down formally  and this text should not provide otherwise. 

- amendment n° 27 
idem 

The  Council  is  requested  to  adopt  its  common  position  on  the  basis  of the  attached  amended 
proposal. 

PROPOSAL  FOR A COUNCIL 
DECISION 

AMENDED PROPOSAL  FOR A 

COUNCIL  DECISION 

concerning  a multiannual  programme  for  the  concerning  a multiannual  programme  for  the 
promotion  of 
renewable energy sources in the Community 

promotion  of 
renewable energy sources in the Community 

ALTENER II 

ALTENER  II 

THE  COUNCIL  OF  THE  EUROPEAN  THE  COUNCIL  OF  THE  EUROPEAN 
UNION, 

UNION, 

Having  regard  to  the  Treaty  establishing  the  Having  regard  to  the  Treaty  establishing  the 
European  Community,  and 
in  particular 
Article  13Os ( 1 ) thereof, 

in  particular  European  Community,  and 

Article  13Os ( 1 ) thereof, 

Having  regard  to  the  proposal  from  the  Having  regard  to  the  proposal  from  the 
Commission, 

Commission, 

Having 
Economic and  Social Committee, 

regard 

the  opinion  of 

to 

the  Having 

regard 

to 

the  opinion  of 

the 

Economic and  Social  Committee, 

Having 
regard 
Committee  of the Regions, 

to 

the  opinion  of 

the  Having 

regard 
Committee of the Regions, 

to 

the  opinion  of 

the 

Acting  in  accordance  with  the  procedure 
provided for  in Article  189c of the Treaty, in 
cooperation  with the European  Parliament, 

Acting  in  accordance  with  the  procedure 
provided for  in Article  189c of the Treaty, in 
cooperation  with the European  Parliament, 

1. 

2. 

1. 

2. 

Whereas  Article  130r  of  the  Treaty 
lays  down  that  one  of the  objectives 
of the Community  action  is to  ensure 
prudent  and  rational  utilisation  of 
natural  resources; 

Whereas  Article  129  of  the  Treaty 
that  health  protection 
lays  down 
requirements  shall  form  a  constituent 
part  of  Community's  other  policies; 
the  Altener  programme 
whereas 
contributes to health  protection; 

Whereas  Article  13Or  of  the  Treaty 
lays  down  that  one  of  the  objectives 
of the Community  action  is to  ensure 
prudent  and  rational  utilisation  of 
natural  resources; 

Whereas  Article  129  of  the  Treaty 
that  health  protection 
lays  down 
requirements  shall form  a  constituent 
part  of  Community's  other  policies; 
the  Altener  programme 
whereas 
contributes to health  protection; 

its  meeting  on  29  3. 

the 

1990, 

Whereas,  at 
October 
Council 
announced  its  objective  of  stabilizing 
total  C02  emissions  by  2000  at  the 
1990  level  in  the  Community  as  a 
whole; 

for  4. 

a 

mechanism 

Whereas 
other 
monitoring 
greenhouse 
emissions  was 
established  by  Council  Decision 
93/389/EEC; 

C02 
gas 

and 

5. 

6. 

to 

Whereas  C02  emissions  from  energy  5. 
consumption  in  the  Community  are 
likely 
increase  by  about  3% 
between  1995  and  2000,  assuming 
normal economic growth;  whereas it 
is, 
.adopt 
additional  measures; 

therefore,  essential 

to 

of 

of 

the 

framework 

Whereas,  at  its  meeting  on  25-26  6. 
June  1996, the Council  noted  that in 
the 
negotiations 
seeking  a  protocol  according  to  the 
Second 
Berlin  Mandate, 
Assessment 
the 
Report 
Intergovernmental  Panel  on  Climate 
Change  (IPCC)  had  concluded  that 
the balance of evidence  suggests  that 
there is a discernible  human  influence 
on  global  climate  change  and  had 
stressed the need  for  urgent  action  at 
the  widest  possible  level,  noted  that 
significant  "no-regrets"  opportunities 
the 
were  available  and  requested 
identify  which 
Commission 
to 
measures  have 
taken  at 
Community level; 

to  be 

the 

1990, 

its  meeting  on  29 
Whereas,  at 
October 
Council 
announced  its  objective  of  stabilizing 
total  C02  emissions  by  2000  at  the 
1990  level  in  the  Community  as  a 
whole; 

a 

mechanism 

for 
Whereas 
other 
monitoring 
greenhouse 
emissions  was 
established  by  Council  Decision 
93/389/EEC1; 

C02 
gas 

and 

to 

Whereas  C02  emissions  from  energy 
consumption  in  the  Community  are 
likely 
increase  by  about  3% 
between  1995  and  2000,  assuming 
normal economic growth;  whereas it 
is, 
to  adopt 
additional  measures; 

therefore,  essential 

of 

of 

the 

framework 

Whereas,  at  its  meeting  on  25-26 
June  1996, the Council  noted  that in 
the 
negotiations 
seeking  a  protocol  according  to  the 
Second 
Berlin  Mandate, 
Assessment 
the 
Report 
Intergovernmental  Panel  on  Climate 
Change  (IPCC)  had  concluded  that 
the balance of evidence  suggests  that 
there is a discernible human  influence 
on  global  climate  change  and  had 
stressed  the need for urgent  action  at 
the  widest  possible  level,  noted  that 
significant  "no-regrets"  opportunities 
the 
were  available  and  requested 
identify  which 
Commission 
to 
measures  have 
taken  at 
Community level; 

to  be 

Whereas  with  the  Green  Paper  of  11  7. 
January  1995 and the White Paper of 
13  December  1995  the  Commission 
communicated 
the  European 
to 
Parliament  and  the  Council  its  views 
on  the  future  of  energy  policy  in  the 
Community  and  on  the  role  that 
renewable  energy  sources  should 

Whereas  with  the  Green  Paper  of  11 
January  1995  and  the  White  Paper 
the 
of 
13  December 
Commission  communicated 
the 
European  Parliament  and the Council 
its  views  on  the  future  of  energy 
policy  in  the  Community  and  on  the 
role  that  renewable  energy  sources 

19953 
to 

play; 

should play; 

Whereas  in  its  resolution  of  4  July 
1996  the  European  Parliament  calls 
on  the  Commission  to  implement  a 
Community  action  plan  to  promote 
renewable energy sources; 

8. 

Whereas  in  its  resolution  of  4  July 
1996  the  European  Parliament  calls 
on  the  Commission  to  implement  a 
Community  action  plan  to  promote 
renewable energy sources; 

Whereas  with  the  Green  Paper  of  20 
the 
November  1996,  Energy  for 
of 
sources 
Future.  Renewable 
energy,  the  Commission  started  a 
process 
further 
to  develop  and 
implementation  of  a  Community 
strategy  and  an  action  plan  on 
renewable energy sources (RES); 

9.  Whereas  with  the  Green  Paper  of  20 
the 
November  1996  ,  Energy  for 
of 
sources 
Future:  Renewable 
energy,  the  Commission  started  a 
process 
further 
to  develop  and 
implementation  of  a  Community 
strategy  and  an  action  plan  on 
renewable energy sources (RES); 

v 

10. 

in 

the  Commission 

its  resolution  of  14 
Whereas 
November  1996  on  the  White  Paper 
of 
"An  energy 
policy  for  the  European  Union"  the 
European  Parliament  calls  on  the 
Commission  to  establish  a  financial 
programme  aimed  at  promoting 
sustainable energy; 

10.  Whereas 

in 

the  Commission 

its  resolution  of  14 
November  1996  on the White  Paper 
of 
"An  energy 
policy  for  the  European  Union"  the 
European  Parliament  calls  on  the 
Commission  to  establish  a  financial 
programme  aimed  at  promoting 
sustainable  energy;  whereas,  in  its 
resolution  of  15  May  19977  on  the 
the 
communication 
from 
the 
Commission  on  Energy 
for 
of 
Future:  Renewable  Sources 
Energy 
a 
-  Green  Paper 
Community  Strategy,  the  European 
is 
considers 
Parliament 
essential to adopt  as soon  as possible 
a 
II 
programme; 

strengthened 

Altener 

that 

for 

it 

11.  Whereas  Article  130a  of  the  Treaty 
provides  that  the  Community  shall 
develop  and  pursue 
its  actions 
leading  to  the  strengthening  of  its 
economic  and  social  cohesion  and 
that,  in  particular,  it  shall  aim  at 
reducing  disparities  between 
the 
various  regions  and  especially  the 
backwardness  of  the  least-favoured 
regions; whereas those actions  cover 
inter alia the energy  sector; 

11.  Whereas  Article  130a  of  the  Treaty 
provides  that  the  Community  shall 
develop  and  pursue 
its  actions 
leading  to  the  strengthening  of  its 
economic  and  social  cohesion  and 
that,  in  particular,  it  shall  aim  at 
reducing  disparities  between 
the 
various  regions  and  especially  the 
backwardness  of  the  least-favoured 
regions; whereas those actions  cover 
inter alia the energy  sector; 

12.  Whereas  by  Decision  93/500/EEC 
the  Council  adopted  a  Community 
programme  for  the  promotion  of 
sources 
energy 
renewable 
'ALTENER'  aimed  at  reducing  C02 
emissions  by  increasing  the  market 
share  of  renewable  energy  sources 
to  overall 
and 
primary  energy  production  in  the 
Community; 
that 
programme  ends  on  31  December 
1997; 

its  contribution 

whereas 

12. 

Whereas  by  Decision  93/500/EEC8 
the  Council  adopted  a  Community 
programme  for  the  promotion  of 
sources 
energy 
renewable 
'ALTENER'  aimed  at  reducing  C02 
emissions  by  increasing  the  market 
share  of  renewable  energy  sources 
to  overall 
and 
primary  energy  production  in  the 
Community; 
that 
programme  ends  on  31  December 
1997; 

its  contribution 

whereas 

13.  Whereas 

that 

the  Community 

has 
the  ALTENER 
recognised 
programme  represents  an  important 
element  of  the  Community  strategy 
for  reducing C02  emissions; 

13.  Whereas 

that 

the  Community 

has 
the  ALTENER 
recognised 
programme  represents  an  important 
element  of  the  Community  strategy 
for  reducing  C02  emissions; 

by 

Decision 

development 

14.  Whereas  European  Parliament  and 
Council  Decision  1110/94/EC,  as 
amended 
No 
616/96/EC,  has  established  a  fourth 
framework  programme  for  research, 
technological 
and 
demonstration  projects;  whereas 
policy  in  the  field  of  renewable 
important 
energy  sources 
instrument 
and 
use 
for 
the  new  energy 
promotion  of 
framework 
technologies 
programme  will  develop;  whereas 
the  ALTENER  II  programme  is  an 
instrument  which  complements  that 
programme; 

is  an 
the 

that 

the 

by 

Decision 

established 

demonstration 

14.  Whereas  European  Parliament  and 
Council  Decision  1110/94/EC9,  as 
No 
amended 
616/96/EC10,  has 
a 
fourth  framework  programme  for 
research,  technological  development 
projects; 
and 
whereas  policy 
field  , of 
is  an 
renewable  energy  sources 
important  instrument  for  the use and 
the  new  energy 
promotion  of 
framework 
technologies 
programme  will  develop;  whereas 
the  ALTENER  II  programme  is  an 
instrument  which  complements  that 
programme; 

that 

the 

the 

in 

14a  Whereas, 

the  Fifth 
furthermore, 
Framework  Programme  of  Research, 
Technological  Development 
and 
Demonstration  should  devote  special 
to  energy  and  whereas 
attention 
should  again  be  an 
II 
Altener 
important  complementary  instrument 
to this programme; 

14b  Whereas  renewable  energy  sources 
are  an  important  energy  source  for 
the  Community  with  considerable 

15.  Whereas 

the 

increased  use  of 
renewable  energy  sources  will  have 
the 
a  positive  effect  both  on 
environment  and  on  security  of 
energy  supplies;  whereas  a  high 
degree  of  international  co-operation 
the  best 
is  desirable 
results; 

to  achieve 

commercial  potential  and  whereas 
their development  should  therefore  be 
supported  through  a  specific  strategy 
and  targeted  actions  to  make  them 
both  viable  and  competitive  and  thus 
create  a  favourable  environment  for 
investment; 

15.  Whereas 

the 

increased  use  of 
renewable  energy  sources  will  have 
the 
a  positive  effect  both  on 
environment  and  on  security  of 
energy  supplies;  whereas  only  the 
free  and  large-scale  development  of 
renewable  energy  sources  will  make 
their 
it  possible  fully 
economic and employment  potential; 
of 
degree 
high 
a 
whereas 
is 
co-operation 
international 
desirable to achieve the best results; 

to  exploit 

16.  Whereas  a  strengthened  ALTENER 
II programme represents an essential 
the 
instrument 
energy 
potential 
sources; 

developing 

renewable 

for 

of 

for 

16.  Whereas  a  strengthened  ALTENER 
II programme represents an essential 
instrument 
the 
energy 
potential 
sources;  whereas  renewable  energy 
a 
sources 
reasonable 
the 
European  internal energy market; 

developing 

percentage 

renewable 

account 

should 

for 

of 

of 

16a  Whereas 

the 

development 

of 
renewable  energy  sources  can  help 
create  a  competitive  energy  system 
the  whole  of  Europe  and 
for 
renewable 
develop 
energy  sources  industry,  with  vast 
opportunities 
the  export  of 
know-how  and  for  investment  in 
third  countries involving  Community 
participation; 

a  European 

for 

17.  Whereas 

in 

implementing 

the 
programme,  there  should  be  close 
co-operation  with  other  Community 
also 
actions 
concerned 
promoting 
renewable energy  sources; 

programmes 
with 

and 

17.  Whereas 

in 

implementing 

the 
programme,  there  should  be  close 
co-operation  with  other  Community 
actions 
also 
promoting 
concerned 
renewable energy sources; 

programmes 
with 

and 

it 

the 

is  politically 

and 
Whereas 
economically  desirable  to  open  the 
ALTENER  II  programme  to  the 
and  Eastern 
associated  Central 
European  countries  in  accordance 
the 
with 
of 
conclusions 
European  Council  meeting 
in 
Copenhagen  on  21  and  22  June 
in 
1993,  and  as  outlined 
the 
communication 
subject 
this 
to  the  Council  by  the 
presented 
Commission  in  May  1994,  and  also 
to Cyprus; 

on 

18. 

it 

the 

is  politically 

and 
Whereas 
economically  desirable  to  open  the 
ALTENER  II  programme  to  the 
and  Eastern 
associated  Central 
European  countries  in  accordance 
the 
with 
of 
conclusions 
European  Council  meeting 
in 
Copenhagen  on  21  and  22  June 
in 
1993,  and  as  outlined 
the 
communication  on 
subject 
this 
to  the  Council  by  the 
presented 
Commission  in  May  1994,  and  also 
to Cyprus; 

HAS ADOPTED THIS  DECISION: 

HAS ADOPTED THIS  DECISION: 

Article 1 

Article 1 

A  five-year  programme  of  measures  1 
and  actions 
energy  sources 
called  ALTENER 
referred 
hereby  established 

to  promote  renewable 
in  the  Community, 
hereinafter 
is 

'the  programme' 

to  as 

II, 

A  five-year • programme  of  measures 
to  promote  renewable 
and  actions 
in  the  Community, 
energy  sources 
hereinafter 
called  ALTENER 
is 
referred 
hereby established 

'the  programme' 

to  as 

II, 

The objectives  of this programme shall 
be to: 

The objectives  of this programme  shall 
be to: 

(a) 

the 

help 

create 

necessary 
conditions  for  the  implementation 
of  a  Community  action  plan  for 
renewable  energy  sources,  and  in 
legal, 
particular 
socio 
the 
administrative 
and 
economic 
conditions, and to 

(a) 

the 

help 

create 

necessary 
conditions  for  the  implementation 
of  a  Community  action  plan  for 
renewable  energy  sources,  and  in 
legal, 
particular 
socio 
the 
administrative 
and 
economic 
conditions, and to 

(b)  encourage  private  and  public 
investments  in the  production  and 
use  of  energy  from 
renewable 
sources. 

(b)  encourage  private  and  public 
investments  in the  production  and 
use  of  energy  from 
renewable 
sources. 

The  objectives  contribute  to  achieving 
the  overall  Community  objectives  and 
concerns  of  limiting  C02  emissions; 
increasing 
renewable 
the  share  of 
energy  sources  in  the  energy  balance; 
reducing  energy  import  dependence, 

The  objectives  contribute  to  achieving 
the  overall  Community  objectives  and 
concerns  of  limiting  C02  emissions, 
increasing 
renewable 
the  share  of 
energy  sources  in  the  energy  balance 
in  accordance  with  the  Community 

ensuring the security  of energy  supply, 
and  fostering  economic  development, 
economic  and  social  cohesion  and 
regional and local  development. 

for 
reducing 

renewable 
energy 

energy 
Strategy 
sources, 
import 
dependence,  ensuring  the  security  of 
fostering  economic 
energy  supply, 
development,  economic  and  social 
cohesion  and 
local 
development,  creating  new  jobs  and 
promoting European  industry. 

regional  and 

Community  financial  support  shall  be  2. 
granted  under 
for 
actions  meeting  the  objectives  set  out 
in paragraph  1. 

the  programme 

Community  financial  support  shall  be 
granted  under 
for 
actions  meeting  the  objectives  set  out 
in paragraph  1. 

the  programme 

the 
The  annual  appropriations  for 
implementation  of 
the  programme 
shall  be  authorised  by  the  budget 
authority  within 
the 
the 
financial  perspectives. 

limits  of 

3. 

the 
The  annual  appropriations  for 
implementation  of 
the  programme 
shall  be  authorised  by  the  budget 
authority  within 
the 
the 
financial  perspectives. 

limits  of 

Article 2 

Article 2 

(a) 

(a) 

be 

under 

The  following  actions  and  measures  1 
relating  to  renewable  energy  sources 
shall 
the 
financed 
programme: 
studies  and  other  actions,  intended  to 
complement 
and 
implement 
Community measures taken to  develop 
the  potential  of  renewable  energy 
the 
sources. 
development  of  sectoral  and  market 
strategies,  the  development  of  norms 
and  standards,  grouped  procurement 
and  the  analysis  of  the  legal,  socio 
economic 
administrative 
conditions  which  are  more  favourable 
to the market  penetration  of renewable 
energies  and 
the  preparation  of 
appropriate  legislation; 

include 

These 

and 

be 

under 

These 

include 

The  following  actions  and  measures 
relating  to  renewable  energy  sources 
the 
financed 
shall 
programme: 
studies  and  other  actions,  intended  to 
complement 
and 
implement 
Community measures taken to  develop 
the  potential  of  renewable  energy 
sources. 
the 
development  of  sectoral  and  market 
strategies,  the  development  of  norms 
and  standards,  grouped  procurement, 
the 
studies 
comparative 
environmental  impact  and  long-term 
costs  and  benefits,  and  the  analysis  of 
the 
and 
administrative  conditions  which  are 
more 
the  market 
penetration  of  renewable  energies  and 
appropriate 
the 
legislation; 

socio-economic 

preparation 

favourable 

legal, 

of 

of 

to 

(b)  pilot  actions  aimed  at  creating  or 
and 
extending 
instruments  for  the  development  of 
renewable energy  sources in: 

infrastructures 

(b) 

pilot  actions  aimed  at  creating  or 
and 
extending 
instruments  for  the  development  of 
renewable energy  sources in: 

infrastructures 

-  local and regional  planning, 
- 
evaluation, 

the  tools  for  planning,  design  and 

-  local and regional planning, 
- 
evaluation, 

the  tools  for  planning,  design  and 

and  market 

financial 

new 
instruments, 
-  information, 
-  education  and training; 

and  market 

financial 

new 
instruments, 
-  information, 
-  education  and training; 

exchange 

encourage 

(c)  measures proposed by the Commission 
to 
of 
the 
experience  and  know-how  aimed  at 
improving 
between 
co-ordination 
international,  Community,  national, 
regional 
activities; 
establishment  of  a  centralised  system 
and 
for 
circulating  information  and  know-how 
on renewable energy sources; 

prioritising 

collecting, 

local 

and 

(c)  measures  to  encourage  the  exchange 
of experience  and  know-how  aimed  at 
improving 
between 
co-ordination 
international,  Community,  national, 
activities; 
regional 
establishment  of  a  centralised  system 
for 
and 
circulating  information  and  know-how 
on renewable energy sources; 

prioritising 

collecting, 

local 

and 

(d)—measures  to  encourage  the  exchange 
ef—experience 
know  how, 
proposed  by  an  entity  other  than  the 
Commission; 

and 

(d)  Deleted 

(e) 

(e) 

of 

renewable 

targeted  actions  facilitating  the  market 
penetration 
energy 
sources  and  encouraging  investment, 
the  preparation  and 
by  assisting 
presentation 
implementation 
of 
projects . 

of 

the 

and 

renewable 

targeted  actions  facilitating  the  market 
penetration 
energy 
know-how, 
related 
sources 
supporting 
transition  between 
demonstration  and  commercialisation. 
by 
and 
assisting 
and 
presentation 
implementation 
projects . 

encouraging 

preparation 

investment, 

the 

of 

(f) 

actions intended to: 

(f) 

actions intended to: 

for 

monitor  the  implementation  of  the 
Community  strategy  and  action 
plan 
the  development  of 
renewable energy  sources; 
in 
support 
plan, 
implementing 
the 
to 
particularly  with 
promoting  better  co-ordination  and 
greater  synergy  between 
actions, 
including—aH—Community—funded 

action 
a 

initiatives 

taken 

view 

for 

monitor  the  implementation  of  the 
Community  strategy  and  action 
plan 
the  development  of 
renewable energy  sources; 
in 
support 
action  plan, 
implementing 
the 
to 
a  view 
particularly  with 
promoting  better  co-ordination  and 
actions, 
greater  synergy  between 
the 
such  as 

funded  by 

initiatives 

taken 

those 

activities; 

including 
Community, 
European  Investment  Bank. 

the 

to 

regard 

monitor  the  progress  achieved  by 
the  Community  and  its  Member 
States  with 
the 
development  of  renewable  energy 
sources; 
impact  and  cost 
evaluate 
effectiveness 
measures 
undertaken  under  this  programme. 
This  evaluation  will  also  take  into 
account 
the  environmental  and 
social aspects. 

the 

of 

to 

regard 

-  monitor  the  progress  achieved  by 
the  Community  and  its  Member 
States  with 
the 
development  of  renewable  energy 
sources; 
-  evaluate 

impact  and  cost 
effectiveness 
measures 
undertaken  under  this  programme. 
This  evaluation  will  also  take  into 
the  environmental  and 
account 
social 
job 
aspects, 
creation. 

including 

the 

of 

targeted  actions  2. 

the 

and 

new 

facilitate 
in 

The  aim  of 
referred  to  in point  (e)  of paragraph  1 
is 
accelerate 
to 
investment 
operational 
capacity  for  the  production  of  energy 
from  renewable  sources  by  providing 
financial  support  in  order  to  reduce 
the  peripheral  and  service  costs  of 
renewable  energy  projects,  and  thus 
overcome  the  non  technical  obstacles 
present. 

the 

and 

new 

facilitate 
in 

The  aim  of 
targeted,  actions 
referred  to  in point  (e)  of paragraph  1 
accelerate 
is 
to 
investment 
operational 
capacity  for  the  production  of  energy 
from  renewable  sources  by  providing 
financial  support  in  order  to  reduce 
the  peripheral  and  service  costs  of 
renewable  energy  projects,  and  thus 
overcome  the  non  technical  obstacles 
present. 

This  action  shall  promote,  inter  alia, 
access  to  specialised  advice,  analysis 
of  market  prospects, 
choice  of 
location  of  projects,  application  for 
construction  and  operation  permits, 
establishment 
plan, 
preparation  of calls for  tender,  training 
of operators,  and plant  commissioning. 

financing 

of 

shall  promote,  with 
This  action 
particular  reference  to  SMEs,  inter 
alia\  access 
to  specialised  advice, 
analysis of market  prospects,  choice of 
location  of  projects,  application  for 
construction  and  operation  permits, 
establishment 
plan, 
preparation  of calls for tender,  training 
of operators, and plant commissioning 

financing 

of 

targeted  actions  will  concern 
The 
projects  carried  out  in  the  following 
areas : 

targeted  actions  will  concern 
The 
projects  carried  out  in  the  following 
areas : 

-  biomass,  including  energy  crops,  fire 
forestry  and 
wood,  residues  from 
agriculture,  municipal  waste, 
liquid 
biofuels  and biogas, 
- 
systems, 
-  passive  and  active  solar  systems  in 

thermal  and  photovoltaic 

solar 

from 

residues 

-  biomass,  including  energy  crops,  fire 
wood, 
forestry  and 
agriculture,  non-recyclable  municipal 
waste, liquid biofuels  and biogas, 
- 
thermal  and  photovoltaic 
systems, 
-  passive  and  active  solar  systems  in 

solar 

buildings, 
-  small  scale  (<  10 MW)  hydroelectric 
projects, 
- wind  power, 
- geothermal  energy; 

buildings, 
-  small  scale  (<  10 MW)  hydroelectric 
projects, 
- wind  power, 
- geothermal  energy; 

Article 3 

Article 3 

All  costs  relating  to  the  actions  and  1. 
measures  referred  to  in  points  (a),  (c) 
and  (f)  of  Article  2(1)  shall  be  borne 
by the Community. 

All  costs  relating  to  the  actions  and 
measures  referred  to  in  points  (a),  (c) 
and  (f)  of  Article  2(1)  shall  be  borne 
by the Community. 

this  2. 

for 

the 

level  of 

funding  under 

The 
programme 
actions  and 
measures  referred  to  in  points  (b)  and 
(ë)  of  Article  2(1)  may  not  exceed 
50%  of  their  total  cost,  the  balance 
being  made  up  from  either  public  or 
private  sources  or  a  combination  of 
the two. 

this  3 

for 

the 

level  of 

funding  under 

The 
actions  and 
programme 
measures  referred  to  in  Article  2(e) 
shall  be  established  annually  for  each 
of  the  targeted  actions  in  accordance 
with Article 4.(2). 

for 

the 

level  of 

funding  under 
actions 

this 
The 
programme 
and 
measures  referred  to  in  point  (b)  of 
Article  2(1)  may  not  exceed  50%  of 
their  total  cost,  the  balance  being 
made  up  from  either  public  or  private 
sources or a combination  of the two. 

for 

the 

level  of 

funding  under 
actions 

this 
The 
and 
programme 
measures  referred  to  in  Article  2(e) 
shall  be  established  annually  for  each 
of  the  targeted  actions  in  accordance 
with Article 4.(2). 

Article 4 

Article 4 

The  Commission  shall  be  responsible  1 
for 
implementation 
programme. 

the 

the 

of 

The  Commission  shall  be  responsible 
for 
the 
implementation 
programme. 

the 

of 

guidelines  2 

and 

conditions 

The 
applicable  to  funding  for  the  actions 
and  measures  referred  to  in  Article  2 
(1)  shall  be  defined  annually,  regard 
being had to: 

and 

conditions 

The 
guidelines 
applicable  to  funding  for  the  actions 
and  measures  referred  to  in  Article  2 
(1)  shall  be  defined  annually,  regard 
being had to: 

(a) 

the 
the  priorities  set  out  by 
Community  and  the  Member  States 
the 
programmes 
their 
in 
promotion  of 
energy 
sources; 

renewable 

for 

(a) 

the  priorities  set  out  by 
the 
Community  and  the  Member  States 
the 
programmes 
their 
in 
promotion  of 
energy 
sources; 

renewable 

for 

10 

potential 

development 

(b)  criteria  relating  to  the  profitability 
and 
of 
renewable  energy  sources  and  their 
the 
effects  on  employment  and 
environment, 
the 
particular 
reduction  of C02  emissions; 

in 

potential 

development 

(b)  criteria  relating  to  the  profitability 
and 
of 
renewable  energy  sources  and  their 
the 
effects  on  employment  and 
environment, 
the 
particular 
reduction  of C02  emissions; 

in 

(c)  for  the  actions  referred  to  in  point 
(e)  of  Article  2  (1),  the  relative  cost 
of  the  assistance,  the  new  production 
capacity  expected  to  arise  and  the 
extent  of 
/or 
transregional 
transnational  benefit 

and 

the  assistance, 

(c)  for  the  actions  referred  to  in  point 
(e)  of  Article  2  (1),  the  relative  cost 
long-term 
of 
new 
the 
viability. 
commercial 
production  capacity  expected  to  arise 
and the extent  of transregional  and /or 
transnational  benefit; 

the 

(d) the principles  established  in Article 
92  of  the  Treaty  and  the  relevant 
Community  guidelines  on  State  aid 
for  environmental  protection. 

(d) the principles  established  in  Article 
92  of  the  Treaty  and  the  relevant 
Community  guidelines  on  State  aid 
for  environmental  protection. 

The Committee  referred  to  in Article 5 
shall  assist  the  Commission  in  defining 
these conditions and guidelines. 

The Committee  referred  to  in  Article 5 
shall  assist  the  Commission  in  defining 
these conditions and guidelines. 

Article 5 

Article 5 

committee 

The  Commission  shall  be  assisted  by  an  The  Commission  shall  be  assisted  by  an 
of 
advisory 
representatives  of  the  Member  States  and 
representatives  of  the  Member  States  and 
chaired  by 
the 
Commission. 

the  chaired  by 
Commission. 

representative  of 

representative  of 

of  advisory 

committee 

composed 

composed 

the 

the 

The  representative  of  the  Commission  shall 
submit  to  the  committee  a  draft  of  the 
measures  to  be  taken  The  committee  shall 
deliver  its opinion  on  the  draft  within  a time 
limit  which  the  chairman  may  lay  down 
according  to  the  urgency  of  the  matter,  if 
necessary by taking a vote. 

The  representative  of  the  Commission  shall 
submit  to  the  committee  a  draft  of  the 
measures  to  be  taken.  The  committee  shall 
deliver  its opinion  on  the  draft  within  a time 
limit  which  the  chairman  may  lay  down 
according  to  the  urgency  of  the  matter,  if 
necessary by taking a vote. 

The  opinion  shall  be 
the 
minutes:  in  addition,  each  Member  State  minutes:  in  addition,  each  Member  State 
shall  have  the  right  to  ask  to  have  its  shall  have  the  right  to  ask  to  have  its 
position recorded  in the minutes. 

position recorded  in the minutes. 

the  The  opinion  shall  be 

recorded 

recorded 

in 

in 

The  Commission  shall 
the  utmost 
account  of  the  opinion  delivered  by  the  account  of  the  opinion  delivered  by  the 
committee.  It  shall  inform  the  committee  of  committee.  It  shall  inform  the  committee  of 

the  utmost  The  Commission  shall 

take 

take 

11 

the  manner  in  which  its  opinion  has  been 
taken into account. 

the  manner  in  which  its  opinion  has  been 
taken into  account. 

Article 6 

Article 6 

to 

report 

During  the  course  of  the  second  year  of 
the  programme,  the  Commission  shall 
present  a 
the  European 
Parliament,  the  Council,  the  Economic 
and  Social Committee and the  Committee 
of the Regions,  on the  measures  taken  to 
promote  renewable  energy  sources  at  the 
level  of  the  Community  and  of  the 
in 
Member  States,  with 
particular  to  the  objectives  set  out  in 
shall 
Article 
be 
1.  This 
for  any 
accompanied  by  proposals 
amendments  to  the  programme  which 
may  be  necessary  in  the  light  of  those 
results. 

reference 

report 

to 

report 

1.  During  the  course  of  the  second  year  of 
the  programme,  the  Commission  shall 
present  a 
the  European 
Parliament,  the  Council,  the  Economic 
and  Social  Committee  and the  Committee 
of the Regions,  on  the  measures  taken  to 
promote  renewable  energy  sources  at  the 
level  of  the  Community  and  of  the 
in 
Member  States,  with 
particular  to  the  objectives  set  out  in 
be 
Article 
1.  This 
any 
accompanied  by  proposals 
amendments  to  the  programme  which 
may  be  necessary  in  the  light  of  those 
results. 

shall 
for 

reference 

report 

the 

shall  assess 

the  programme, 

the 
2.  On  expiry  of 
results 
Commission 
the  application  of  this 
obtained  from 
Decision  and  the  consistency  of  national 
and Community  actions. It  shall  present  a 
report 
the  European 
to 
Parliament,  the  Council,  the  Economic 
and  Social Committee and the  Committee 
of the Regions. 

thereon 

the 

shall  assess 

the  programme, 

the 
2.  On  expiry  of 
results 
Commission 
the  application  of  this 
obtained  from 
Decision  and  the  consistency  of  national 
and Community  actions.  It  shall present  a 
report 
the  European 
to 
Parliament,  the  Council,  the  Economic 
and  Social  Committee  and the  Committee 
of the Regions. 

thereon 

Article 7 

Article 7 

in 

be 

shall 

open 

programme 

laid  down 
to 

This 
to 
participation  by  associated  Central  and 
Eastern  European  Countries  (CEECs)  in 
accordance  with  the  conditions,  including 
the 
financial  provisions, 
the  Association 
additional  protocols 
the  Association 
Agreements 
Agreements 
to 
relating 
in  Community  programmes. 
participation 
This 
to 
be 
participation  by  Cyprus  on  the  basis  of 
additional  appropriations  under  the  same 
rules  as 
to  EFTA/EEA 
countries,  in  accordance  with  procedures  to 
be agreed  with this country. 

or 
in 
themselves, 

those  applied 

programme 

open 

shall 

in 

be 

shall 

open 

laid  down 
to 

This  programme 
to 
participation  by  associated  Central  and 
Eastern  European  Countries  (CEECs)  in 
accordance  with  the  conditions,  including 
the 
financial  provisions, 
the  Association 
additional  protocols 
the  Association 
Agreements 
Agreements 
to 
elating 
in  Community  programmes. 
participation 
This 
to 
be 
participation  by  Cyprus  on  the  basis  of 
additional  appropriations  under  the  same 
rules  as 
to  EFTA/EEA 
countries,  in  accordance  with  procedures  to 
be agreed  with this country. 

or 
in 
themselves, 

those  applied 

programme 

open 

shall 

12 

Article 8 

Article 8 

This  Decision  shall  apply  from  1  January  This  Decision  shall  apply  from  1  January 

1998 to 31 December 2002. 

1998 to 31 December 2002. 

Article 9 

Article 9 

This  Decision  is  addressed  to  the  Member  This  Decision  is  addressed  to  the  Member 
States. 

States. 

OJNoL  167, 9.7.1993, p. 31. 
COM (94) 659 of 11.01.1995 
COM (95) 682 of 13.12. 1995 
O J N o C 2 1 1,  22.7.1996, p. 27. 
COM (96) 576 final  of 20.11.1996 
OJ No C 362, 2.12.1996, p. 279. 
O J N oC  167, 2.6.1997, p.  160. 
OJNoL235,  18.9.1993,  p.41. 
OJNoL  126,  18.5.1994, p. 1. 
O J N 0 L 8 6,  4.4.1996,  p. 69. 

13 

ISSN 0254-1475 

COM(97) 646 final 

DOCUMENTS 

EN 

12  01 

Catalogue  number  :  CB-C0-97-656-EN-C 

ISBN 92-78-28313-4 

Office  for  Official  Publications of the European  Communities 

L-2985  Luxembourg 

IV