/BRUSSELS, January 8, 2024, 12:00 GMT, European Commission, RENEWABLE MARKET WATCH^TM/ The European Commission has approved a €2.9 billion French scheme for supporting investment in green industries (tax credit for investment in green industries) to foster the transition towards a net-zero economy, in line with the Green Deal Industrial Plan. The scheme was approved under the State aid Temporary Crisis and Transition Framework, adopted by the Commission on 9 March 2023 and amended on 20 November 2023, to support measures in sectors which are crucial for accelerating the green transition and reducing fossil fuel dependencies. France has notified to the Commission, under the Temporary Crisis and Transition Framework, a €2.9 billion scheme for supporting investment in green industries to foster the transition to a net-zero economy.

/BRUSSELS, March 14, 2023, 15:00 GMT, European Commission, RENEWABLE MARKET WATCH^TM/ Today, the Commission has proposed to reform the EU's electricity market design to accelerate a surge in renewables and the phase-out of gas, make consumer bills less dependent on volatile fossil fuel prices, better protect consumers from future price spikes and potential market manipulation, and make the EU's industry clean and more competitive. The EU has had an efficient, well-integrated electricity market for over twenty years, allowing consumers to reap the economic benefits of a single energy market, ensuring the security of supply and stimulating the decarbonisation process.

/LONDON, December 7, 2021, 15:30 GMT, RENEWABLE MARKET WATCH^TM/ The European Council reached an agreement on a proposal to update EU rules on value-added tax (VAT) rates. The new rules reflect member states’ current needs and the EU's present policy objectives, which have changed considerably since the old rules were put in place. The updates ensure member states are treated equally and give them more flexibility to apply reduced and zero VAT rates. The rules will also phase out preferential treatments for environmentally harmful goods. The current levels of dependence on fossil fuels, the need of reducing the carbon emissions associated with energy use and the prospects of developing a new and highly innovative European technology sector make distributed solar photovoltaic energy generation increasingly attractive. According to the EU Green Deal, substantial fossil fuel capacity needs faster decommissioning to ensure that the EU reduces carbon-intensive power plants by 2030. The rate of replacement of carbon-intensive energy sources by renewable energy to date has already resulted in GHG emissions reductions in the EU electricity sector. Residential and commercial prosumers installing rooftop and building-integrated (BIPV) solar photovoltaic systems and energy storage shall have a vital role in the European clean energy transition by 2030.

/BRUSSELS, November 24, 2022, 17:20 GMT, European Commission, RENEWABLE MARKET WATCH^TM/ EU energy ministers today agreed on the content of a Council regulation laying down a temporary framework to accelerate the permit-granting process and the deployment of renewable energy projects. The regulation will introduce urgent and targeted measures that address specific technologies and types of projects, which have the highest potential for quick deployment and the least impact on the environment.The new temporary will rules set maximum deadlines for granting permits for solar energy equipment, upgrading existing renewable power plants (repowering) and the deployment of heat pumps. In addition, they will introduce a presumption of overriding public interest for renewable energy projects.

/BRUSSELS, July 19, 2023, 14:00 BST, European Commission, RENEWABLE MARKET WATCH^TM/ In their amendments to the draft legislation, Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) propose to further strengthen consumer protection against volatile prices. The reform of the electricity market, to make it more stable, affordable and sustainable, received the support of the Energy Committee on Wednesday (July 19, 2023). Consumers should have the right to fixed-price contracts, dynamic price contracts, as well as more key information on the options they sign up to, banning suppliers from being able to unilaterally change the terms of a contract. The aim is to ensure that all consumers, as well as small businesses, would benefit from long-term, affordable and stable prices and to mitigate the impact of sudden price shocks. MEPs also advocate that EU countries prohibit suppliers from cutting the electricity supply of vulnerable customers, including during disputes between suppliers and customers, and prevent suppliers from requiring these customers to use prepayment systems.

/BRUSSELS, March 21, 2024, 11:00 GMT, European Commission, RENEWABLE MARKET WATCH^TM/ Today, the EU Mission Label was awarded to 23 cities as part of the EU Mission for Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities, one of the EU Missions under Horizon Europe. The Label recognises the cities' plans to achieve climate neutrality by 2030 and aims to facilitate access to public and private funding towards that objective. The first ten cities received the Label in October 2023. The EU Mission Label was awarded by Iliana Ivanova, Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth during a ceremony with mayors and city representatives at the EU Research & Innovation Days, the biggest forum in Europe to discuss the future of science and innovation and to co-create solutions with citizens and stakeholders.