WRITTEN QUESTION E-1521/01 by Fernando Fernández Martín (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Renewable energies project on the island of El Hierro (Canaries).
Date: 2001-05-21
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU research policy, energy policy, energy research, renewable energy, research project

C 364 E/134

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

20.12.2001

The free miners are told that this is because of European legislation. Could the Commission confirm that
this is the case and, if it is, what measures they will take to amend the necessary regulations to avoid
individuals being forced to pay such high fees in future?

Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(27 July 2001)

The Member States are the owners of their mining and energy resources and, as such, entitled to grant
mining licences.

There is no Community legislation on the granting of licences for coalmining. The United Kingdom has
notified the Commission that the Coal Authority is the body responsible for this.

It must, however, be noted that, pursuant to Article 67 of the ECSC Treaty,
(cid:145)If the action taken by
[a Member State] reduces differences in production costs by allowing special benefits to or imposing
special charges on the coal or steel undertakings within its jurisdiction in comparison wit the other
industries in the same country, the Commission is empowered to make the necessary recommendations to
that State after consulting the Consultative Committee and the Council.(cid:146)

The Commission has received no such notification from the United Kingdom.

(2001/C 364 E/149)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1521/01

by Fernando FernÆndez Mart(cid:237)n (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 (cid:145)100 % renewable energies(cid:146), 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 (cid:129) which is unique in Europe and represents a model of
sustainable development (cid:129) 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 (cid:145)Energy for the future: renewable energy sources(cid:146) 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.

20.12.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 364 E/135

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,
(cid:145)Sustainable
is part of one of the thematic programme
communities(cid:146) was launched at the end of 2000. This call
(cid:145)Energy, Environment and Sustainable Development(cid:146).

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.

(2001/C 364 E/150)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1524/01

by Bartho Pronk (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(21 May 2001)

Subject: Unequal treatment of EU citizens by a Swedish supermarket chain

The Swedish supermarket chain ICA pursues a policy of issuing a shoppers(cid:146) card to its customers who may
then save money by taking advantage of various special offers in ICA supermarkets. A lady who is not
a Swedish national applied for such a card but was rejected on the grounds that she did not possess an
(cid:145)identity number(cid:146). ICA claimed that it was obliged to reject her application and referred to Swedish
legislation on tax returns and annual statements. According to ICA, the fact that non-Swedish nationals
pay taxes (including property taxes) in Sweden and hold a Swedish bank account is immaterial.

1.
ICA invokes Swedish tax legislation. Can the Commission indicate whether ICA is correct in so
doing? If it is correct, to what extent does the Commission believe that such legislation is in breach of the
relevant European Union legislation? Does the Commission agree with me that application of this Swedish
legislation results in direct discrimination?

2.
If the possession of an identity number is so important under Swedish law, does the Commission
agree with me that the Swedish Government is obliged to issue the person involved with such identity
numbers, given that she is legally resident in Sweden and pays property taxes there?

Does the Commission deem it admissible for non-nationals to be the subject of discrimination in so

3.
far as they regularly have to pay higher prices than nationals for the same products?

4.

To what extent does this situation apply in other Swedish supermarkets?

Is the Commission prepared to point out to the Swedish Government and to ICA that they may be

5.
guilty of discrimination?