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France’s Le Maire slams EU’s ‘no longer wanted’ renewable targets

(EurActiv, 5 Mar 2024) The EU’s renewable energy targets adopted in March last year are too restrictive and unsatisfactory as climate goals, French Economy Minister Bruno Le Maire, who took over the Energy portfolio in a recent government reshuffle, said on Monday (4 March).

Despite repeated requests from the European Commission, France remains opposed to the calculation method used by Brussels to set targets for the use of renewable energy.

“The targets can no longer be to have so many windmills here, so many photovoltaic panels here,” Le Maire said on Monday, criticising “the Europe we no longer want”.

The calculation method is set out in the Renewable Energy Directive, the third version of which (RED III) was adopted last March, and cites that the EU must collectively reach a 42.5% share of renewable energy in its gross final energy consumption by 2030 – with some states having to aim for at least 45%.

France, for instance, must achieve a renewable share of at least 44%, as efforts have been distributed according to each member state’s capacities.

Except the French government refuses to lay down this target in writing.

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EurActiv, 5 Mar 2024: France’s Le Maire slams EU’s ‘no longer wanted’ renewable targets

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