The development of renewable energy in Europe and in particular energy from wind, water, solar power and biomass – is a central aim of the European Commission’s energy policy. The main reasons for this are:

Renewable energy plays an important role in reducing Carbon Dioxide (CO₂) emissions – a major Community objective.
Increasing the share of electricity produced from renewable energy sources in the energy balance enhances sustainability. This also helps to improve the security of energy supply by reducing the Community’s growing dependence on imported energy sources like oil and gas from Russia and other non EU countries.
Renewable energy sources are expected to be economically competitive with conventional energy sources in the medium to long term.

Raising the share of power produced renewable energy sources from 8.5% to 20% in the overall energy consumption is a necessary contribution to the global fight against climate change and towards better control over our energy dependence. The various uses of renewable energy are examined: electricity through wind and hydro energies; electricity or heat through geothermal and solar energies; electricity, heat, and biofuel coming from biomass. The EU is a world leader in the use and deployment of technologies that exploit renewable energy sources, providing over 350.000 jobs and an annual turn-over of € 30 billion.

Summary: renewable energy sources can provide energy independence and are stable, clean and renewable.

1. European Union Promoting Renewable Energy Sources (Video)

   20% renewable energy by 2020 Raising the share of renewable energy from 8.5% to 20% in the overall energy consumption...

2. European Union – In Transition To Renewable Energy Sources

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3. Average Price for Electricity from Renewable Energy Sources in the European Union – 2009

   Prices for Renewable Energies in the EU Member States – Graphics for all the types of renewable energy sources –...

4. Key Facts About Renewable Energy In The European Union

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