Renewable energy to be discussed at 3rd Handelsblatt Annual Conference
The EU target of increasing the share of renewable energy to 20 per cent by 2020 will be achieved earlier than expected according to the EU Commissioner Günther Oettinger. However, he believes that the yearly growth rate of six per cent could flatten out strongly after 2020 if no further binding expansion targets are introduced for the period after 2020. Oettinger will present the proposals from the EU Commission for the further expansion of renewable energy at the 3rd Handelsblatt Annual Conference “Renewable Energy” held between 27-29 August 2012 in Berlin.
Oettinger was critical of the many different incentive models being used in the member countries at the presentation of the EU strategy papers for renewable energy. He called for greater harmonisation and increased market integration in order to continue to guarantee a reliable investment environment for the renewable energy sector.
The German withdrawal from nuclear energy and the change in energy policy has been viewed very differently by international observers. In Germany’s neighbouring countries in particular, the risks involved in the restructuring of energy provision have been discussed and the effects on the network and electricity prices have been viewed critically. Jean-François Conil-Lacoste (EPEX Spot SE), Pierre-Yves Madignier (RTE – Réseau de transporte d´electricité) and Boris Schucht (50Hertz Transmission GmbH) will be discussing the consequences of the change in German energy policy for the security of supply in Europe and the possibilities for a further convergence of the electricity market.
Renewable energy experienced a renewed boom in investment in 2011, with a worldwide investment volume of 257 billion dollars. Investment in the renewable energy sector in 2011 was 94 per cent greater than before the financial crisis. (Source: UNEP Study “Global Trends in Renewable Energy Investments”, 11 June 2012). Against the background of an ongoing crisis of confidence in the financial markets, Dr Werner Hoyer (European Investment Bank) will discuss the current investment possibilities for renewable projects.
The Handelsblatt Annual Conference “Renewable Energy” has already established itself as one of the most important sector meeting points for investors, plant manufacturers and operators, as well as for energy providers and industry representatives. German Environment Minister Peter Altmaier, Minister President of Baden-Württemberg Winfried Kretschmann, President of the Federal Network Agency Jochen Homann, President of the German Renewable Energy Federation Dietmar Schütz and Secretary General of Entso-E Konstantin Staschus are expected to attend this year’s conference alongside the other 300 participants.
The annual conference will be held over three days for the first time this year, in order to satisfy the growing interest in European and international developments within the sector.
The complete conference programme can be viewed on the Internet at:
http://www.erneuerbare-energien-tagung.de