Source: EURLEX
Language: en
Format: md

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# 91999E0102

**WRITTEN QUESTION No. 102/99 by Robin TEVERSON Fifth Framework Programme and geothermal energy** 
  
*Official Journal C 341 , 29/11/1999 P. 0050*

  

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0102/99

by Robin Teverson (ELDR) to the Commission

(27 January 1999)

Subject: Fifth Framework Programme and geothermal energy

Previous EU research and development programmes have specifically mentioned geothermal energy, but the upcoming programme does not. Although the European Parliament adopted an amendment to rectify this omission and include geothermal energy under the renewable energy section in Annex II(a)(v), the Commission did not accept the amendment, and the Council has not included it either.

Will the Commission confirm that, despite this omission, this will not jeopardise future funding in this area and that projects relating to geothermal energy will continue to receive their entitled share of funding, in particular as Mrs Cresson has stated that the EU's objective is to increase the percentage of renewable energy use from 6-12 %?

Answer given by Mrs Cresson on behalf of the Commission

(25 March 1999)

The Community's stated objective of increasing the percentage of renewable energy from 6 % to 12 % is one of the driving forces behind the energy component of the fifth framework programme(1). It is also true that the use of geothermal resources can contribute significantly towards meeting this target, particularly if the Community-supported European hot dry project at Soultz-sous-Forêts, France, continues to live up to the promise which it has shown.

Many aspects of geothermal technology are already mature and so would not be considered as high priority issues for research funding. The hot dry rockwork, however, does still require research and, as such, could be eligible for future support.

The approach of the fifth framework programme, however, is to focus on problems, not technologies. If research and demonstration projects on geothermal energy can contribute to solving the problems identified in the programme, are appropriate for European rather than purely national funding and can meet the targets suggested in the work programme for renewable energy sources, then they will be treated on an equal footing with other renewable energy projects.

(1) OJ C 137, 7.6.1997.

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